#Riley brooks
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All That She Wants Chapter 5: Consequences
Series: All That She Wants
Fandom: The Royal Romance
Pairings: Riley x Liam, Riley x Drake, Liam x Olivia
Word Count: 1,094
Rating: M
Warnings for this chapter: none
My other stuff: Master List.
Riley stared down at the plastic stick in her hands as a myriad of feelings washed over her.
Another negative test.
How? It had been 6 months since she’d first set her sights on Drake. They had been sleeping together regularly ever since.
Frequently even.
Disappointment and disbelief were the first emotions. She had conceived Ellie on her honeymoon with Liam. Xander had taken only two months of trying.
Frustration and relief were an odd combination, revealing her conflicted motives. Her original goal of procreation was being thwarted, and that was frustrating.
But another negative result meant she would have to keep sleeping with Drake. Not just sleeping with him, but basically dating him, per the arrangement she had agreed to.
She hadn’t meant to, but she found herself enjoying the dating part. It felt good to be wanted, to be pursued, wooed, romanced, valued.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t hear him until he was right behind her. “What are you doing?”
Her body jolted as awareness of her surroundings rushed back in. “Liam! I thought you had meetings all morning!”
“I did. But the Duke of Rothsford spilled his coffee on me and I came back up to change.” Astonishment crept into his voice. “Is that a pregnancy test?”
“It’s none of your business, is what it is!” She snapped as she moved her hand behind her back.
“Oh, I think it’s most certainly my business if my wife, whom I haven’t had sex with in months, is taking a pregnancy test!”
“Try a year and a half, Liam!” she bit back furiously.
He looked momentarily taken aback. “Has it been that long?”
“Yes!” She hated the tears that gathered in her eyes.
Liam faltered for a moment. He looked at her with compassion, his hand reached out toward her in a comforting gesture but froze halfway there. His voice was icy as he demanded, “Why are you taking a pregnancy test?”
“I wanted to see if I was pregnant, Liam, that’s why!”
“So, you’re having an affair?”
She gaped at him, the anger in his tone confusing her. “You literally told me that if I wanted another baby, to find someone else to be the father!”
“That was hyperbole, Riley!” Liam was shaking with barely restrained fury. “The Queen of Cordonia can’t just have another man’s baby!”
“Oh, but you can sleep with Olivia and ignore your wife, and that’s fine?”
“I—”
“Exactly. You’re a hypocrite, Liam. What if your mistress got pregnant? Then what?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Liv doesn’t even want children! She took the necessary precautions to prevent that years ago!”
“Wow.” Riley shook her head as anger replaced all the despair and sadness she usually felt when confronted with her husband’s infidelity. “You didn’t even try to deny it.”
His shoulders slumped as his fury abated. “I’m sorry, Riley. You deserve better than I’ve given you. I know that.”
“Did you ever love me?”
“I do love you, Riley. Things with Liv and I are…. complicated.”
“No, Liam, you don’t love me. If you loved me, you wouldn’t have shut me out. Something changed somewhere along the way, and you didn’t bother to let me know.”
“I’m not disputing that things changed. Our marriage became…stale.”
She wasn’t sure which emotion was more prevalent as she took in his assessment of their relationship. There was an ample amount of rage tempered by an overabundance of grief.
She had never stopped loving him. Had never stopped trying.
But the unvarnished truth was that he had left their marriage, at least emotionally, long ago, and there was nothing she could do about it.
For the first time since she had said I do, she admitted to herself that this was not the fairytale they had sold to the press. This was not her happily ever after and Liam was not her prince charming. They had been living a lie from the moment he proposed.
“Why didn’t you just marry her in the first place?” she asked bitterly.
“I just told you…. she refused to have children. I needed an heir.”
“So, you married me for my uterus?”
A defensive note crept into his voice. “You knew the terms. You agreed—”
“I agreed to the marriage terms because I loved you, you fucking unbelievable bastard!”
“Riley, you’re upset. I understand. But once you calm down—”
“No.”
“No? No, what?”
“No, to whatever is about to come out of your mouth. I’m done worrying about what’s best for you! It’s my turn, Liam!”
“What does that mean?”
“It means you have three choices. Either give me a baby, let someone else give me a baby, or let’s just get divorced and I’ll do as I damn well please.”
“Riley, we can’t just—”
“Those are your choices. Even the king can’t force someone to stay married to him against her will. Just imagine the scandal that would cause!”
He struggled to maintain his composure when what he wanted to do was throw things, yell, lock her in the room, and forbid her to leave it. Instead, he took a steadying breath and counted silently to ten before he spoke. “We said forever, Riley.”
“You promised to love me, Liam.”
“Who is it?”
“Excuse me?”
His voice was tight as he searched her face for answers. “Who are you sleeping with? Who is stabbing his king in the back?”
For the first time in their entire marriage, Riley had the upper hand. She gave him a self-satisfied smirk as she tossed the plastic stick into the waste bin. She crossed the room to the door, opened it, then turned back to face him. “You have two days to decide which option pleases you most, my king.” Then she was gone.
“Son of a bitch!” Liam picked up the nearest object and hurled it at the door that had just closed.
Glass shattered against the wood, as water and petals exploded outward.
Who the fuck had been sending her flowers?
He had barely noticed the vases of fresh-cut blooms that had changed every few days, assuming housekeeping had been putting them there to brighten the room. Now the certainty that someone was not just fucking his wife but romancing her took hold.
Something had to be done. A decision had to be made, and it had to be made quickly.
He pulled out his phone and quickly punched in Olivia’s number. “We have an urgent matter to discuss. I need you to drop whatever you’re doing and come to the palace immediately.”
#the royal romance#trr#drake walker#liam rys#trr fanfic#riley brooks#angelasscribbles#the royal romance fanfic#choices fic writers creations#cfwc fics of the week#choices stories you play#choices#trr fandom
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for @choicesfandomappreciation's secret pal event, i got @tessa-liam! here's a liam and riley (and chance the corgi) for you, i hope you like it and happy holidays!! ❤️
bg & silver medal from pb official art bc i was too tired to draw it by hand lol
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Turning the Page
A Step Back in Time, chapter 11
Choices, The Royal Romance, AU
Series Premise: As Riley Brooks journeys through life as a single parent in New York City, an epiphany strikes as she contemplates the future for herself and her two-year-old son.
Turning the Page Series Masterlist
Main Pairing: Liam Rys x F!OC Riley Brooks
All characters belong to Pixelberry Studios, except William Brooks (Rys) and Matteo Magro, who belongs to this series.
Category: On-going series, contains angst/fluff/depression. Cross-over fic with Choices, Perfect Match.
Rating: M🔞 - Warnings - Series will contain crude language, weapons, NSFW material – not Beta’d - please excuse all errors.
Words: 3268
A Step Back in Time, Chapter 11
Chapter Summary: Liam, Riley and William arrive for a weeklong retreat in Lythikos. Olivia takes Riley ‘under her wing’ to mentor and to offer advice for her return to court. Olivia was determined to get her friend into the right frame of mind and to ultimately get the sparkle back in her eyes.
Music Inspiration: What Was I Made for? Billie Eilish ; Lose Control, Teddy Swims
A/N1: In this alternate universe, after King Constantine orchestrates two individual scandals to humiliate and entrap Riley Brooks and Olivia Nevrakis in shame, Madeleine Amaranth secures her position as the Queen of Cordonia. Riley, as the King’s mistress and Olivia, in self-imposed exile. Tariq is never found.
A/N2: Damien Nazario has been assigned as William’s personal bodyguard. (Series cross-over with ‘Perfect Match’)
‘Cause I, ‘cause I
I don’t know how to feel
But I wanna try
I don’t know how to feel
But someday I might
Someday I might
Think I forgot how to be happy
Something I’m not, but something I can be
Something I wait for
Something I’m made for
Something I’m made for’
Cordonian Royal Palace, Capital
If you told Riley Brooks that she would be living in Cordonia, in the Royal palace, with the King of Cordonia just last summer ... she would not believe you. She would tell you that ‘once upon a time’, she fell in love with that King and competed for his hand in marriage in his social season. By reason of the cruelty of fate, and the callousness of the Royal court, that dream would be ripped away from her by a world that was foreign to her. Where outsiders, or commoners, were frowned upon and/or deemed lesser than the noble class. She would be relegated to be the other woman, the mistress to that immensely powerful man whose duty to his country dictated that he must marry a ‘chosen’ woman, even though he did not love her.
...and she had to watch that man she loved, marry another.
...because she loved him, she remained. Confiding to him, ‘I’ve made my decision ... I want to be with you. I don’t care what it looks like.’
...and it broke her.
In the Royal east wing, inside William’s bedroom, Riley meticulously packed his clothing into a large suitcase. Carefully selecting each item with love and care for their winter vacation in the Alps of Lythikos, she folded his small woolen sweaters with matching pants and jeans. Soft mittens and a woolen cap were nestled next to his favorite plushie, Scooby; ready to go with him on his snowy adventures.
"Li Li, sweetheart, come here please," Riley called out, her voice echoing through the spacious room. William bounded towards her; his eyes wide as he watched his mother pack his belongings.
"We go away, Mama?" William asked, his voice filled with wonder.
"Yes, my sweet boy," Riley replied with a smile, scooping him up into her arms and placing him down on his bed. "We're going to the mountains with your father to visit a good friend of ours. It's going to be so much fun."
William's eyes sparkled with delight at the mention of his father. In the five short months since he met his father for the first time, the bond between father and son had grown stronger exponentially. William adored Liam, who always had time for his son's playful antics in New York and now, here in Cordonia, as well. Despite his Royal duties, Liam made the point to spend as much time with William as possible. Riley was not surprised. Liam often spoke about what kind of father he wanted himself to be. The exact opposite of his own father. She could tell that Liam was trying his best to make up for all the time they had lost. And she could not be happier.
Riley continued to pack, tucking away William's favorite books and toys to keep him entertained during their trip in Lythikos. She had already arranged for snacks with the kitchens, ensuring they would have everything they needed for the long drive to the northern chateau.
Riley looked up, catching Liam's gaze.
Liam stood and silently watched, leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded. A gentle smile played on his lips as he watched Riley packing their son's belongings for their trip, while William happily tried to help his mother.
"Come, my King," Riley softly spoke and smiled with a playful glint in her eyes. "Help me double-check if we have everything for our little adventurer."
Liam pushed himself away from the doorframe and strolled over to Riley; he crouched down beside William, who was wide-eyed with anticipation.
“Daddy, look.” William pointed to the large suitcase, smiling happily at his father.
"Hello, my little prince," Liam greeted, ruffling William's hair. "Are you ready for an adventure?"
William giggled and nodded his head vigorously, his eyes reflecting the admiration and adoration he held for his father. Liam chuckled, “I see you have lots of toys packed.”
William climbed over to the suitcase and plucked his favorite plush to show his father.
“Ah, I see you packed your little dog. Is he your special friend?”
“Yes, Daddy. I love puppies.” William grinned, squeezing his toy.
“You do? That is good to know,” Liam winked at Riley as William returned his toy to be packed.
“I will meet you two in an hour. All right, love?” Liam asked Riley.
“Okay, Daddy,” William answered as Liam and Riley chuckled together at his response.
As Liam left to go to his study, Damien entered, bowing to Liam, “Your Majesty”.
Liam smiled and nodded 'hello' in response as he walked towards his assistant waiting in the hall followed by his security detail.
Nevrakis Chateau, Lythikos, Cordonia
Driving through the majestic mountains, Riley stared at the vista overlooking the Nevrakis chateau. Memories flooded her mind as they passed the frozen lake below. The lake where she, along with the other suitors skated on, with Liam during his social season years ago.
Riley shivered. Was it from seeing the beautiful winter landscape or from those memories of past competitions for the man she loved? Riley’s thoughts were interrupted by the happy sound of her son’s voice.
William giggled; totally enthralled by Liam’s storytelling of his past adventures in the snow. The sight of father and son was precious to Riley, as she softly smiled at the two of them. William was sitting on Liam’s lap as he pointed to the large chateau coming into view ahead.
The escalade stopped at the grand entrance of the Nevrakis chateau as members of the royal guard went into formation and opened the vehicle doors.
As they made their way toward the entrance, a flurry of snowflakes fell from the sky, adding a layer of white powder to the ground.
"Wow, this is beautiful.” Riley raised her arms to the sky. “I remember my first visit here during your social season.”
"It is. If I remember correctly, it was just as cold." Liam quipped adjusting William’s scarf.
Members of Olivia’s waitstaff greeted the party as they entered the lavish and grand estate. Standing at the base of the grand staircase, Olivia grinned as William squealed at the pair of Alaskan malamutes sitting inside the foyer.
“King Liam, Lady Riley and Prince William ... welcome to my quaint northern lodge. I am delighted to host the three of you.”
Liam approached Olivia and kissed her cheek, then gestured to Riley and William to join them.
"Olivia, it's been far too long since I last visited. The grounds are magnificent.”
"Indeed, thank you, Liam.” Olivia beamed with pride.
"Thank you for hosting us. Your hospitality is greatly appreciated.” Riley added.
"Anything for my dear friends."
Olivia's attention was drawn to William, who was petting the dogs and giggling.
"Well, hello again, prince William." Olivia walked over and knelt beside and offered treats to her two canine companions.
William looked up at her and smiled.
"Hewwo."
"He's even cuter than I remember," Olivia grinned. “This one,” she motioned to the brown tipped dog, is ‘Mischa’. And this big guy is ‘Zeus’, "she cooed.
"Now, Riley." Olivia stood and walked forward slowly, looping her arm through Riley's arm and leading her inside. "We have lots to catch up on. Liam, make yourself at home. Your Royal suite is ready for you. Gustav will be your personal attendant for your stay."
"Thank you, Liv. That is much appreciated."
"You are quite welcome. Now, Riley, let us get started on our girl time.” Liam winked at Riley, his shoulders shaking as he chuckled at Riley’s faux scared expression.
"Okay, sounds good." Riley shook her head grinning as she walked by Liam.
Olivia and Riley climbed the grand staircase and disappeared around a corner while William sat on the floor playing with the dogs.
"William, let's get you changed and settled." Liam extended his hand down for his son to take.
"Okay, Daddy."
“Bye bye puppies.” William exuberantly spoke to the large dogs.
***
Riley and Olivia sat on a plush sofa in front of a large window overlooking the mountains. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the snowy landscape.
"It's so beautiful here." Riley marveled at the picturesque view.
"I'm glad you like it.” Olivia proudly acknowledged as she handed a large glass filled with chardonnay to Riley.
Olivia sat back and watched Riley; her expression turning serious.
"Riley, I know that things have been difficult for you since you've come back, but you have to remember, you're a force of nature. You are stronger than you think.” Olivia was continuing the conversation of their last visit at the palace.
Riley looked down at her hands, which held onto the wine glass with a death grip. She knew the invitation to spend the week in Olivia's duchy was not just a holiday for her, Liam and William. Her once adversarial friend, and now, her good friend, wanted to assist her with reuniting with Liam.
"I can see the pain and sadness in your eyes." Olivia continued.
"Oh... "
"How is it really going? Riley, how is everything between you and Liam?"
Riley sighed and set her wine glass on the table.
"I'm...I'm not sure."
"Do you still love him?"
"Yes, of course. I have never stopped loving him.”
"Do you think he loves you?"
"Yes.” There was a small smile followed by biting her top lip.
"Then what's the problem?"
"I'm not sure."
Olivia shook her head and sighed.
"You have to trust him, Riley. He loves you. And I can see how happy William makes him.”
"I know that.”
"But there's something else, isn't there?" Olivia eyed her friend for clues.
"It's just that... we've spent so much time apart. And now that we are back together, things feel different.”
"I think I understand. That is quite normal, all things considered."
"And I'm worried that he'll eventually resent me for leaving him while I was pregnant with William."
"He could never resent you, Riley. You are the mother of his child. It'# not in his DNA.”
“I keep thinking that that there will be another scandal around the corner. That something or someone will tear us apart.”
"What happened to that confident and free spirited American girl? The one who turned the court on its' head. Where did she go?"
"I know what you are asking. I feel scared; waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
"Scared of what? And why?"
"That he won't forgive me."
"Riley, listen to me. That is your guilt talking.”
Olivia reached over and grabbed Riley's hands, looking her in the eye.
"Liam loves you. He will always love you. You and William are his world. And I know that he wants nothing more than to make you happy.”
"But..."
"But, nothing. There is no 'but'.”
"Okay." Riley was not convinced. "But, Madeleine ..."
"Is out of the picture; where Liam is concerned. You have the power of position now, make Madeleine feel it."
Riley looked at her friend and took a staggered breath.
"Most importantly, you hold the King’s heart...show the world, show Cordonia, show Madeleine what that means...you will bring her to her knees." Olivia sneered.
"This is why I wanted you to come for a visit. To remind you of who you are and what you are capable of.”
“Olivia ...” Riley sighed, shaking her head, ‘no’.
"Now. Come with me."
Olivia stood and motioned for Riley to follow.
Olivia took her down to an armory in the bowels of the chateau.
"Here we are." Olivia turned and motioned to a wall of weapons.
"What are we doing down here?" Riley asked, eyeing the collection of weapons displayed on the wall.
"We're going to do some training.”
"Training? For what?" Riley questioned, perplexed.
"For the press."
"Why do I need training for the press? With weapons?"
"Because they're vultures. They will try to get a rise out of you. They will ask rude and invasive questions. They will try to trip you up.”
"But why do you think I need training? I know you haven’t forgotten that I was subjected to them during Liam’s social season."
"Because they're relentless idiots.” Olivia sneered.
"Okay, but ...”
“Now that you are back in Cordonia, the mother of the crown prince, no less ...they want to find out your intentions with their king.”
Riley took a deep breath, closing her eyes.
"Don't worry. I'm going to teach you how to handle them.” Olivia confidently proclaimed with a smirk.
"Thank you, Olivia.” Riley sighed as she eyed the collection of pointy weaponry again.
"Of course. Now, let us get started.”
Riley was grateful for Olivia's help and advice. She knew that she was right about the press, having dealt with them through the engagement tour, after the scandal was brought to light.
Riley didn't have to know that. At least, not yet.
And she knew that she needed to be prepared. Riley understood the extent to which the press would dig and manipulate information to get a juicy soundbite. But she was not aware that Madeleine would have her own agenda to discredit and sabotage her at every chance she got, all the way from Morocco. However, Olivia was well aware of Madeleine’s spite and her bitterness over losing the crown.
"First off. I want you to choose a weapon." Olivia pointed to her collection of weaponry mounted on the wall.
"A weapon?" Riley’s eyes were wide looking at the selection before her.
"Yes. You cannot fight the press with words alone.”
"Um...okay." Riley answered sceptically.
Riley looked at each weapon closely. There were swords, halberds, axes and daggers, among others.
She picked up a sword.
"Hmm...a sword? Interesting choice."
"It's light and I can move fast.”
"Good. Particularly good.” Olivia nodded approvingly. “That would be a weapon that Liam would choose.”
“Really?” Riley admonished.
"Now, we'll practice some moves.”
"Moves?"
"Yes. Maneuvers. Stances. Blocking and parrying.”
"Wow. This is serious.”
"Indeed. I'll start slow, but don't let your guard down.”
"I won't.” Riley responded warily.
"Good. Now, attack me."
"What?" Riley looked aghast.
"Attack me."
"Oh, um ... okay."
Riley raised the sword and ran at Olivia, who easily dodged the blow.
"Is that the best you've got?"
"No.”
Riley lunged at her again, and again, Olivia sidestepped each attack.
"You're leaving yourself open.” Olivia challenged.
"I am?"
"Yes. If this was a real fight, I would have cut you down by now." Olivia chirped.
"Oh.” Riley let out a large breath, wondering to herself how this lesson was going to end.
"Here. Let me show you."
Olivia demonstrated a series of moves, her sword flashing and swooshing in the air.
"Now, you try.”
Riley imitated the movements, her sword swishing through the air.
"Better.” Olivia critiqued.
"Thanks." Riley answered questionably.
"Again.” Olivia commanded with Riley going on the defensive.
They continued to spar, their swords clashing together. Riley was impressed with Olivia's skills and ability to read her opponent and react accordingly.
As they continued to fight, Riley became more comfortable with the sword, her moves becoming more fluid and graceful. Liam slipped into the back of the room, quietly watching the sparring.
"Excellent.” Olivia praised.
"Thanks.” Riley smiled at the compliment, picking up a bottle of water.
"Now we need a target." Olivia led her to a stuffed, practice dummy.
Riley chuckled as she watched her friend attach a large face photo of Madeleine onto the head with a dagger.
"Here, let me help you." Olivia handed her an assortment of knives, before she expertly threw her dagger.
Riley's first few throws landed wide, but she quickly found her mark, sinking several blades into the center of the picture.
"Nicely done.”
"Thanks."
"Feel better?" Olivia snickered as Riley laughed.
“Yes! Yes, actually I do. But I don't understand. How is this going to help me?”
"When the press asks you questions, you need to stay calm and confident. If they try to rattle you, throw them off balance. Focus on your target.” Olivia pointed to the picture.
"Let's practice."
"All right."
"Imagine I'm a member of the press. And I ask you, 'Lady Riley, where have you been all these years?'"
Riley cleared her throat and straightened her posture.
"I've been raising my son in New York. It's where he was born and raised.”
"Why did you leave Cordonia?"
"I left to protect my child. And because I knew that King Liam had an obligation to the Queen.”
"What are your intentions now that you've returned?”
"I'm here to support my son and to be a part of his life.”
"Do you still love the King?”
"Yes, of course."
“No! STOP!!!”
Olivia moved assertively towards Riley. "This is where you say, 'that's all the questions for today’ and then you walk away from the microphones. Show confidence. Show determination. Show stoicism. Control the narrative.”
Riley raised her eyebrow. "How did you get so good at this, Olivia?"
Olivia shrugged, her shoulders rising slightly. "I'm the duchess of Lythikos. People talk. And sometimes they don't realize I'm listening."
Riley nodded, a new respect for Olivia blossoming in her heart with a renewed sense of determination in her step.
Feeling his arms, Riley giggled and leaned back against him with a content smile.
Liam sauntered up to Riley from behind, wrapping his arms around Riley’s waist.
Riley turned around to look at Liam, her eyes filled with love.
“The Royal guard will then lead you away from the gathering,” Liam interjected. “You will never be left without protection.”
"Thank you, Liam.” Riley tearfully smiled.
"I want you to know that while I am alive, you will always have a home in Cordonia. And I will never let anyone threaten that ... or you ... ever again.”
Riley felt a warm feeling in her chest and a sense of calm.
Maybe everything was going to be all right, after all. As long as she had Liam and William, she knew she could face anything.
"Liam, I love you."
"I love you, too, Riley."
Liam pressed his lips to hers, and Riley melted into his embrace. They kissed for a long moment, savoring the feel of each other's bodies.
"Come, let's go get some sleep. We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow."
"I'm ready.*
"Pleasant dreams you two. Good night."
"Olivia, thank you for your expertise. It is much appreciated.
"Your welcome, Liam. It's my pleasure."
Good night." Riley called out.
Riley followed Liam out of the room, her hand firmly grasped in his.
And for the first time since she had come back to Cordonia, she truly felt like she was home.
"Thank you, Olivia," she whispered as she lay in Liam's arms, his steady heartbeat lulling her to sleep.
Thanks for reading; please let me know if you would like to be added or removed from this series.
My current tag list:
Perma tags: @ao719 @queenmiarys @sfb123 @twinkleallnight @alj4890 @differenttyphoonwerewolf @harleybeaumont @busywoman @karahalloway @kingliam2019 @imjusthereforliam @lovingchoices14 @kyra75 @tinkie1973 @emkay512 @malblk21 @kristinamae093 @charlotteg234
TRR Liam & Riley TTP: @emersyn-in-cordonia @mainstreetreader @belencha77 @walkerdrakewalker @iluaaa @mysticalfangirl @queenwalton @bascmve01 @umccall71 @choicesfrog @amandablink @ownworldresident
Submissions:@choicesficwriterscreations
#tessa liam writes#the royal romance#liam rys#trr#riley brooks#trr fanfic#choices fic writers creations#king liam#king liam rys#choices liam x oc#turning the page
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Wanted to do a little something for @hanaleeappreciationweek, because boy do I appreciate my best friend Hana 🥰 (x)
#hanaleeappreciationweek#HLAW#HLAW Day 5#trr#hana lee#riley brooks#v plays trr#v draws things#Hana and my Riley and are both the best friend they never thought they'd have#After Riley's wedding to Maxwell Hana moves in with them and they all live their absolute best lives ♥♥♥#Liam and Drake of course visit often#TRH does not happen.#The End! ☺💞
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Ghosted
Ghosted - I Finally See (Chapter Six)
Series Summary - Prince Liam fell for Riley Brooks hard and fast. A marriage filled with love and devotion was within his reach. But everything changed when she vanished just before the end of the social season. As everyone voices their concerns regarding her scandalous departure, a confession from an unlikely source turns Liam's world upside down and makes him question everything around him.
Book/Pairing - TRR - Liam x MC (Riley Brooks)
A/N1 - This AU starts right before the beginning of the engagement tour. There is a two-month lapse between the coronation and where we pick up, but we will stray from canon. Please excuse any errors found.
A/N2 - Huuuuuuugest of shout outs to @ao719, who helped me tweak this mood board a little bit (twice 🤣🥹😘)
Characters belong to Pixelberry
Rhonda led the three of them along the path to the west grounds. At one point, that is where all major events were held in Applewood. However, over the years, the Royal family decided it was best to move all festivities to the front of the estate, as it was bigger in acres and much closer to the main building.
The area was then practically forgotten about. There was housing for some of the staff, a couple of sheds, and a few stray apple trees, but nothing else. Liam hadn't been on the west grounds specifically since he was a child and would play hide and seek with Leo out there. He always found the best spots to hide, Leo practically never found him.
They followed until Rhonda stopped at an older, weathered shed toward the edge of the estate property. It appeared to be practically abandoned; the paint was chipping off the sides and the roof missed several shingles. It looked like a scene from a horror movie, and Liam felt his skin turn cold and raise with goosebumps as they approached the structure.
Rhonda turned to face them. "This is the one..."
"Don't you dare go anywhere? Do you understand me?" Liam growled.
Rhonda didn't say a word but nodded her head rapidly. She took a few steps away but stood where they could see her even after they entered the structure.
Olivia glanced down and saw a padlock securing the doors closed. She reached out and grabbed it. "A lock? Seems like someone doesn't want us to find what's in there."
"How are we gonna get it open?" Drake asked.
Olivia laughed before she responded, "Oh, don’t you worry about that, you simpleton." and pulled a small dagger out of her sleeve. She leaned forward and started working the blade into the keyhole.
After a couple of minutes, Drake grew restless. "I know this may come as a surprise to you, but not everything is solved with knives." He huffed.
Just as the words left his mouth, Olivia stood and turned to face him with a smirk on her face, lock in hand. "You were saying?" Drake shook his head and muttered a few obscenities under his breath.
The trio stood and stared at the doors for what felt like an eternity; nobody wanted to make that first move. After so long with so many unanswered questions, the anxiety of what could lie ahead was felt heavily by all three.
Finally, Olivia reached for the door and swung it open. They were indeed looking at all of Riley's stuff; all her clothes, hygiene products, knick-knacks, everything was piled directly in front of them. Olivia entered first and started searching for anything of relevance. Drake followed close behind, but Liam remained cemented in place with his mouth agape.
Liam convinced himself that Riley intentionally left because she took all of her belongings with her. To him, that meant her departure was premeditated; she had to have thought enough in advance to have her things packed so she could make her escape.
But as Liam stood in front of the open shed, he confirmed the gut feeling he had been ignoring all along was validated. Any and every bit of resolve he had left crumpled as he took those first steps into the structure before him.
Liam entered slowly and looked around. He stopped when he saw Riley’s ceramic cardinal and picked it up. She said it reminded her of her grandfather who had passed away, so having it meant he was exploring new horizons with her. She had the trinket in her pocket during the Regatta, Liam recalled her telling him her grandfather had a love of boats, so she had to bring it with her for the day. He held it in his hands for a moment before he gently squeezed it, and placed it back where he found it.
Liam continued his search and stumbled upon her tortilla blanket; he smiled as he picked it up and held it to his nose to inhale a deep breath. He hadn’t understood why Riley had such a random item, but he didn’t dare question her. The one time he saw her wrapped up in it was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen.
Liam went to her door early one morning to escort her to breakfast, however, Riley wasn't expecting him. He knew it wasn't proper, but he couldn't help himself; he wanted to spend any and every spare second he had with her.
When Riley answered the door, she was wrapped in her blanket with her glasses sliding down her nose; her hair sat piled on the top of her head in a messy bun, although it appeared to have shifted more to the side during her slumber. The smile she gave as her cheeks flushed completely stunned Liam where he stood. She looked immaculate in all the ball gowns with her makeup and hair perfectly done, but she had never been more beautiful to him than at that moment.
Liam shook his head in an attempt to steady himself but could feel his eyes burn with unshed tears. He quickly put the blanket down where he found it and continued.
As Liam resumed his trek, he stumbled upon a book or binder of some sort. The front and back surfaces were completely covered in different multicolored stickers. He opened it and realized it was not a binder, but a photo album.
Liam looked through the pictures with trembling hands. He saw photos of Riley as a baby with her parents, holidays, birthdays, sports, prom; practically her entire life in images. Toward the end, he found laminated funeral programs for family members Riley had lost.
Liam closed the album and wiped the tears from his cheeks that had unwillingly fallen. He knew Riley was a very sentimental person and would not have left this stuff behind purposefully. These things meant the world to Riley; her most cherished possessions, the things she was most proud of. It was one of the things that made Liam fall in love with her; in his world, all everyone cared about was power and prestige, but she cared about moments and making memories. He knew without a shadow of a doubt, she would not have left these things behind of her own volition.
Liam began to feel insurmountable rage, but couldn't ignore the all-consuming guilt that engulfed his conscience for turning a blind eye; especially knowing she could have been hurt before she left, or, that could have been why she left. More than that, he hadn't believed in Riley the way his friends did. He needed to be convinced to believe in her.
Drake had been observing Liam look through the photo album. In their many years together, he thought he had seen Liam at his lowest, but the man Drake was looking at now was unrecognizable; the defeat and guilt he felt were clear as day. When Drake saw him wipe his cheeks, his heart broke even more for his friend than it had been the past two months.
Drake approached Liam and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Liam…" He softly spoke.
Liam sniffed. "What for? I should be thanking you. Without your persistence, I never would have opened my eyes…" He trailed off and shook his head as more tears unwillingly fell.
"Don't do that, Liam." Liam looked at Drake with a confused expression. "I can see it written all over your face. You're feeling guilty. You can't do that to yourself, man. I know it's hard, but you have to look forward. Don't dwell on what's already happened."
Liam scoffed. "That's easy for you to say. You didn't need to be convinced to believe in her. You didn't turn your back on her like I did..."
"If I was in your shoes I probably would have reacted the same way. You thought she abandoned you! I'd be devastated too! Then to see her in the tabloids two days later, I'd've been fucking livid! You might be a King, but first and foremost you're a man. You are allowed to make mistakes!" Drake emphasized.
"But this isn't just any mistake! This is the love of my life, and I didn't see through this sooner?"
Drake sighed. "When me and Olivia told Max, she had to bring us back because we were doing the same shit you're doing right now." He shook his head. "I know it's hard, but you can't dwell on what you did or didn't do back then. We won't get anything solved that way. We gotta focus on what we do now."
Liam shook his head. "I just can't believe this is happening…"
"I know. It's a lot to take in. But I'm glad you're with us now." Drake smiled.
"I swear to you, I will not rest until I find the truth. Someone is going to answer for this," Liam responded with a determined expression.
Drake embraced Liam, "I know." and patted him on the back.
"Thank you for being a great friend, Drake. I’d like to apologize for losing my temper with you earlier." Liam said as he returned the embrace.
"Don't worry 'bout it. I'm just so fuckin' happy you're finally listening to yourself." Drake spoke as he stepped away.
“Guys?” Olivia’s voice rang out from the other side of the shed, where they had not ventured to yet.
Drake and Liam approached her and noticed her troubled expression. She was crouched on the ground as she searched through a tote that was filled with Riley's things. Olivia stood and held a black trash bag in her hands. She reached in and pulled out a balled-up piece of fabric, carefully unfolded it, and spread it open wide for Liam and Drake to see.
Liam took the fabric from her hands. He realized he was holding a dress, but it was ripped and torn in multiple places. Some portions dangled, others completely detached. He knew he recognized it, but couldn't precisely place where he had seen it.
The dress was white with a pink flower pattern, about mid-thigh length. It had ruffles at the bottom and a silky heart neckline at the top, which is where the tears appeared to be more prominent as well as the fabric being noticeably stretched out. The midsection had a brown leather belt sewn into its design, but portions of that had been shredded as well.
Olivia noticed a specific area of the dress that was stuck together. She tentatively reached her hand out and grabbed the fabric and pulled, which separated the garment and revealed a large reddish-brown stain. It covered a portion of the back just above the ribs, and small spots on other areas of the dress. She reached out and lightly ran her finger over the large spot and felt that the surface was dry and hardened.
She grabbed the dress from Liam’s hands and spun it around to show him and Drake, both of their eyes widening within seconds.
As Liam stood and stared at the back of what was left of the dress, his heart suddenly plummeted to the depths of his stomach as he realized where he recognized it from. “That’s…” He swallowed thickly. “that’s the dress she was wearing… at the jamboree…” He whispered.
Drake bent down and picked up the bag. He opened it and saw other small pieces of the dress and even the stockings she had worn with it that night. He closed the bag and handed it to Liam with a heartbroken expression.
Liam took the bag from Drake’s hands and peeked inside. He already knew what was in there, but looking confirmed it. Although they were unsure as to whose blood was on the dress, they could only conclude it was Riley's.
Liam suddenly realized the maid who led them there, Rhonda, was still outside. He snatched the dress from Olivia’s hands and threw it into the bag. He turned and strode with deadly intent to where she stood outside the shed.
Liam practically threw the bag at Rhonda, “Have you ever seen this?” He growled.
She looked into the bag with wide eyes, “I– I– ” she stammered.
“ANSWER ME!" Liam yelled as he once again stood over the much smaller woman.
"I– I found it on the floor. I don't know where it came from! All I did was throw it into the bag!"
"So you find a bloodied dress, and instead of immediately reporting it to someone, anyone, you just throw it into a bag like it's nothing?!"
Rhonda frantically shook her head. "I didn't know-"
"BULLSHIT! It's blood! Do you really need a fucking technical course to tell you to use your brain?!" Liam yelled.
Bastien heard Liam from his position a little ways away, and quickly rounded the corner and approached him with a curious expression. "Is there a problem here, sir?"
"YES, there's a problem here! Look inside there, do you see that?!" Liam hollered without once breaking his attention away from the woman in front of him.
Bastien glanced past Drake to the shed behind him. He briefly met eyes with Olivia, who remained inside searching. She arched her brow as she met his gaze, but he quickly turned back to Liam. "What would you like me to do, sir?"
"She knows something…" Liam growled as he stalked toward the woman little by little.
Liam stood to his entire height and squared his shoulders. He looked down at Rhonda over his nose; he puffed his chest out, only slightly, but enough to project his dominance over her. “I am giving you one last opportunity to tell me the truth. Failure to do so will result in you being placed in the custody of the Cordonian Royal Guard until you feel it’s acceptable to tell your King the truth.” He demanded in an authoritative voice.
Rhonda audibly inhaled a sharp breath, almost as if she had been hit in the gut. Her eyes welled with tears as she held her trembling hands together. “Your Majesty I swear to you on my children’s lives I know nothing else!” She dropped to her knees in front of him. “Please don’t take me from my kids! Please! I’ve told you everything I know! I'm so sorry I never said anything! P–please!” She cried as she lost herself in a fit of hysterics.
Liam stood over Rhonda while she sobbed, his mind reeling. He wanted to believe she knew more, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized whoever did this didn't let this lowly maid in on their master scheme; she was only a pawn. The likelihood of her knowing more than she had already told them was low, and she had given them the biggest lead yet in showing them where all of Riley's things were.
Even though he remained enraged, Liam crouched down in front of the woman and spoke in the softest tone he could force. "I will not take you from your children. I apologize for making barbaric threats to you. However, I need to make sure there's nothing else that you could tell us about that night."
Rhonda sniffed. "N–no, sir. I'm sorry I didn't say anything sooner but I was worried about getting in trouble for snooping because I need this job to support my kids and–"
Liam held up his hand to stop her rambling. "For future reference, if you believe a guest could have been injured you are to call my office immediately and report it to me. Am I clear?"
"Y–yes sir."
"This is a delicate situation, and your utmost discretion is required. You can not tell anyone we were here, or searching Lady Riley's things. Do you understand?" Rhonda quickly nodded her head. Liam stood from his crouched position and reached down and extended a hand to help her stand. "You are free to go, but please, if you remember anything else or see something suspicious, call my office."
"Shall I escort her back to the estate, sir? I'd like to ask her a few questions as well." Bastien asked, his eyes never once leaving the maid.
"Of course, Bastien. Thank you."
As Bastien led Rhonda away, Olivia reemerged from the shed. She found something that piqued her interest; it was a long shot, but she hoped perhaps her sudden hunch could poke yet another hole in the ordeal.
Olivia approached Liam, who stood beside Drake with his hands balled at his sides watching Bastien and the maid fade away. She cleared her throat and the two turned to face her; she handed Liam a blank envelope and said nothing.
He opened it and quickly scammed its contents; it was a letter from Riley to her grandma. She had told Liam about her letters home because her grandma wasn't smart with technology and didn't have a cell phone, but Riley wanted to stay in contact. There was no date, although it had been signed at the end. The text held no relevant information, aside from Riley retelling certain portions of her time in Cordonia, the last being their trip to the ancient ruins.
As he reached the bottom paragraph, he felt like his already dismembered heart was ripped from the confines of his chest and tossed onto the ground in front of him, leaving it for anyone and everyone to openly stomp on.
I really don't know if I would make a good Queen, but I know I can do anything with Liam by my side. He’s the most amazing person I've ever met and makes me feel like I could do anything, and I would do anything to be with him. It might seem fast, but I can feel it in the depths of my soul; he is my forever.
Liam took a deep, shaky breath to keep himself calm. The guilt was piling up, but he refused to let that dam open, not now. Their next move had to be calculated and precise, and he was more determined than ever to find her and ensure her safety. "Why are you showing me this?" He quietly asked Olivia.
"I can't confirm, because I didn't see the note that was left in her room, but I know both of you did. So I just wanted to ask, does the handwriting match?"
Liam took another good look at the paper; the one left in her room was short, so there was hardly anything to compare. Looking at this script in his hands, a few things did stand out.
"The s's are different, and the r's as well." Liam pointed to the paper. "On this, every single one has some kind of a swirl on it, not to mention its continuous cursive. The one left in her room was just plain print writing."
"And this one is signed Riley instead of R," Drake added.
"Do you still have that original letter?" Olivia asked.
"I… don't." Liam looked away from them and rubbed the back of his neck. "I, uh… I couldn't stand to have it anymore. I told Bastien to dispose of it…."
Olivia arched her brow. "I take it you did the same with her phone?" Once again, Liam avoided eye contact but subtly nodded his head. She felt her irritation rise at Liam's stupid decisions while in his state of denial, but opted to keep her comments within; even though he was fighting to keep it hidden, Olivia could tell he was already feeling the effects of his refusal to see the truth. "Well, we should at least check with him and see if he still has them; we can compare the letters and see if there's a chance they match." She sighed. "Other than that, what's our plan?"
Liam was quiet for a long moment. His mind raced as he tried desperately to figure out where to go from here. They didn't have a lead as to who could have been responsible or any information regarding the scandal. The most evident thing to be found was the chilling revelation that someone hurt Riley in some way and a potentially falsified letter, otherwise, they had no solid leads.
Liam ran his hand down his face before he responded, "To start, I'll ask Bastien if he happened to keep those things. Otherwise, we need to begin a search for Tariq and Riley. Since the person in that photo you showed me can't be identified, they're the only two who know what actually happened. I'll have Bastien begin at once."
"The time I spent investigating by myself I tried to locate Tariq to question him, but he's gone."
"I'll have Bastien double-check, just to make sure he hasn't gotten sloppy and left a trace somewhere."
"Are you thinking Tariq did all this?" Drake asked.
"At this moment, no. We've known Tariq most of our lives and we all know he's not smart enough to do this." Drake and Olivia nodded their heads in agreement. “I have a feeling he could have been used in achieving someone else’s agenda, but as to who could be responsible, I don’t have a clue.”
"What do you think their ultimate plan was?"
Olivia snickered. "I shouldn’t be surprised you can't figure it out, considering your brain is the size of a walnut."
"Oh yeah? Enlighten us."
"Gladly," Olivia smirked. "Liam clearly wanted to pick Riley, that was no secret. Since Liam and I have been friends since we were children, I was obviously the second choice." She rolled her eyes but continued. "So whoever this person is formulated a plan to eliminate the two of us, leaving only Madeleine."
"There were other suitors." Drake retorted.
"Oh, please." Olivia scoffed. "Madeleine was technically the most prepared beforehand, the others weren't even in the contest."
"But why go through all this, though?" Drake motioned to the shed.
"I don't actually have any idea why her things are stored here, yet. Otherwise, I can only assume they wanted to push the idea that Riley left to be with Tariq. First, remove her from the situation. Next, let Liam sit and stew for a few days contemplating why she left. Lastly, release a scandal; let everyone assume she was a harlot being swept away by another."
"And I played right into it, just like they knew I would," Liam growled as he shook his head. "It was important they cemented the theory because whoever did this knew I would continue looking for her without the scandal. They needed to give me a reason to abandon that search, despite all the signs, and I did…" Liam looked away and forcefully tensed his jaw.
"I could be wrong, Liam… We really don't know much, yet." Olivia said in a surprisingly tender voice.
Liam sighed. "For now perhaps it's best if we lock this back up and reconvene after the Apple Banquet. That will give Bastien a day or so to start the search; we can see where we stand then?"
Drake and Olivia nodded, but Drake needed to ask Liam a question that had popped into his mind whilst they searched the shed and wouldn't leave. "Hey, Li?"
"Hm?"
"...What about the tour?"
Liam remained silent for a moment before he quietly answered. "I know it may not make sense to either of you, but the tour has to continue. First, I feel it will make investigating this easier. Clearly, something happened that night, but everything must go on as planned to avoid raising suspicion. Second…" He trailed off and looked away from Drake's curious gaze. "If we can't prove someone plotted to get Madeleine on the throne, I will have to go through with the wedding. There is nothing I can do about that, aside from abdicating."
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Olivia howled with laughter, which earned her a steely glare from Liam and a curious one from Drake. "Liam, you're the fucking King. You act as if you answer to all these people, but they answer to you. You're the one calling the shots, not them! If you don't want to marry her, then don't."
"I wish it were that simple, Olivia, but it's not. I have to take a Queen! Stability, above all–"
"Oh, my God!" Olivia exclaimed. "Am I talking to fucking Constantine or Liam?"
Liam could only stare at her with a stunned expression. Drake, however, had to hide his laugh with a cough; he had thought that same exact thing every time he heard Liam utter that statement.
Olivia continued. "I'm not trying to be insensitive, because I understand you want to do what's best for the country. But marrying Madeleine is not what's best for you or Cordonia."
Liam remained silent. Drake stepped forward after a moment and placed a hand on Liam’s shoulder. "You don't have to decide right now, just think about it, okay?"
Liam could only nod his head, as his mind refused to form a coherent sentence. After everything that had revealed itself that day, nothing made sense. He quickly dipped back inside the shed and grabbed Riley's blanket, cardinal, and photo album. Drake and Olivia gave him a curious glance as he emerged from the shed with the items, but he didn't care; he wanted to take these things with him so he could feel close to her again, and hopefully return them if he could ever find her.
Olivia placed the bag with the dress back inside the tote where she found it and secured the lock back in place; she slipped Riley's letter into her pocket for safekeeping, hoping and praying Bastien kept the one left in her room to compare.
The trio made their way back to the main estate as the sun was setting on the horizon. All three's minds were overflowing with questions, assumptions, accusations, and a wide variety of scenarios, all of which revolved around one thing: what happened to Riley Brooks?
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#trr mystery#what happened to riley?#the royal romance#king liam#liam rys#choices the royal romance#trr#choices trr#trr au#choices#liam x riley#choices fic writers creations#ghosted#liam x mc#trr liam#drake walker#olivia nevrakis#riley brooks#kristinamae093
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Turbulence
Series: Cordonian Royal Airlines
Fandom: The Royal Romance
Pairings for series: Various
Pairing for this chapter: Riley x Drake
Word Count: 1,534
Rating: MA
Warnings for this chapter: Language, sexual innuendo, and mature humor. Barley lemon scented.
A/N: See the series master list for a description of this series.
Also, this is a submission for @choicesprompts Smutember prompt event: We shouldn't be doing this....
“So, what’s up with you and Riley?”
“What do you mean?”
Captain Liam Rys turned to regard his first officer with a raised eyebrow, “What do you mean what do I mean? You two have been dancing around each other since the day she started working here.”
“Exactly,” Drake shook his head, “She works here. I don’t shit where I eat, Li, you know that.”
“Uh huh…” Liam replied dubiously as he returned his attention to the instrument panel and requested permission to take off.
Out in the cabin, flight attendant Riley Brooks was instructing the passengers of Cordonian Royal Airlines Flight 628 to put their seat backs in the upright position and fasten their seatbelts.
Maxwell shuffled up and down the aisle helping people stow their carry-ons in the overhead compartments.
As they buckled themselves into the jump seats, Maxwell lowered his voice so the passengers wouldn’t overhear, “So has he asked you out yet or what?”
“Who?”
“Come on, Ri. You know who. First Officer McSteamy!”
“Please,” she huffed, “That uptight, pig-headed, annoying asshole?”
“That’s the one,” he smirked, “I saw him checking you out when we boarded.”
“Really?” She perked up.
“Really,” Max supplied, “Not that you’re interested….”
“Of course not,” she slid her eyes sidewise at him, “But like how was he checking me out? Like oh, she’s cute or like, you know…”
“Oh, definitely you know!”
“Hm,” Riley leaned back in her seat, her eyes scanning the cabin for any signs of issues she needed to attend to as a slight smile played across her lips.
An hour into the flight, Max was dealing with an overbearing guest.
Riley scooted over to help, recognizing him, “Be nice,” she whispered to Max, “He’s a regular.”
“Yeah, a regular pain in the ass!” Max grunted a little too loudly.
“How dare you!” The man turned beet red, “I demand to speak to the captain!”
“I’m sorry, sir, but that won’t be possible, we don’t-“
“Actually,” Riley interrupted him, “For you, Mr. Lambros, I think we can make an exception!”
“We can?” Max turned to her in astonishment.
“Thank you, my dear,” the annoying passenger gloated, “and you can call me Tariq.” He shot a withering look at Max, “You can’t.”
“Whatever,” Max huffed under his breath as Riley pulled him down the aisle.
Once out of Tariq’s hearing, she hissed in his ear, “I’m going to send Liam out here and you’re going to make sure he stays out here for like, five minutes, okay?”
“Why, Riley? Why would-“ his eyes widened, “Oh! You want a minute alone with Drake! Wait, only five?”
“Get your mind out of the gutter, I’m not fucking him in the cockpit! I just want a few minutes alone for a…conversation.”
“Yeah, right,” Max laughed as he shooed her toward the cockpit door, “Go on then, have your conversation…”
She shook her head as she made her way to the cockpit, pausing outside the door to adjust her clothing and run her fingers through her hair. She pushed the door open, “Captain?”
Liam looked over his shoulder, “I told you, call me Liam. What is it, Riley?”
“We have a disgruntled passenger who’s demanding to speak to you.”
“You know we don’t normally-“
“I know, but it’s Mr. Lambros and you know how he gets…”
Liam heaved a deep sigh. Tariq and his company spent an ungodly amount of money on flights, and they couldn’t afford to lose his business, “Okay, fine.” He flipped a few switches quickly and then stood.
He paused to officially pass control of the flight deck over, “You have the flight controls.”
“I have the flight controls,” Drake answered.
Liam nodded at Riley on his way out the door. She smiled at him but didn’t move.
Dake glanced up at her, “Can I help you with something else?”
“Yes,” she took Liam’s seat, “You can tell me why you run so hot and cold.”
“Excuse me?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
“Listen, Riley, I like you but-“
“Oh, you like me? Like a friend?”
“Yes, I’m on friendly terms with the entire crew-“
She snorted, “You’re not friendly with anyone, Drake!”
“I…what?” He wanted to be annoyed but inexplicably, it bothered him that she thought he wasn’t friendly.
“I mean it’s pretty common knowledge that you can be a dick.”
He turned in his chair to face her incredulously, “I am not a dick!”
“Actions speak louder than words.”
“That’s…I’m not….since when-“
“It’s okay. I was just curious why you are sometimes uncharacteristically friendly with me, specifically, but if you don’t like me-“
“I never said I didn’t like you!” He snapped.
“And I told you…actions speak louder than-“
Her words were cut off as she found herself suddenly and firmly yanked across the divide between the two seats and into his arms. His lips crashed into hers with an intensity that took her breath away.
She leaned into him, returning the kiss for all she was worth. Her hands landed on his chest, his hands grasped her at the small of her back and tugged her closer.
“We shouldn’t be doing this…” he panted even as he drew her into his lap, his lips trailing down her neck, finding their way into the cleavage that peeked enticingly out from the form-fitting uniform that hugged her curves, setting them off to quite remarkable effect.
“You’re right,” she pulled away and stood up, “We shouldn’t be doing this. Wouldn’t want to ruin a perfectly good working relationship, now would we?”
“What?” his hands reached out for her, but she was already out of reach, “Riley, wait!”
“No, that’s okay, you’ve made your position quite clear.”
“That’s not what I-“
She paused at the door, throwing a smoldering look over her shoulder, “See you tonight at the hotel?”
“Yes…” he watched as she left, head spinning. What had she meant by ‘see you at the hotel’? Had she meant that in a general sense as in see you around? Or was it an invitation for something? And if so, what?
He only knew two things for sure. One, he didn’t date coworkers. It was a bad idea. Two, he was absolutely going to find her at the hotel tonight.
“Gah!” Why was she so goddamned frustrating? He slammed his head forward into the instrument panel. The plane immediately dropped altitude, diving toward the ground as the oxygen masks deployed in the cabin. “Oh, shit!” He frantically worked to right the plane as passengers screamed.
Out in the cabin, Liam had just gotten Tariq settled down and happy again. Max was on his way to serve the now mollified guest a bottle of their best wine when the plane jolted down and to the right with a loud thud. People slammed into walls, luggage poured from overhead compartments and Max tripped forward, grappling with the already-opened bottle as he tried to regain control. It was to no avail. He watched with horror as the bottle flew, in seeming slow motion, out of his hands and directly toward their most difficult customer.
Tariq’s eyes widened as the liquid sloshed out of the top of the bottle in midair, spewing wildly and covering him in outrageously expensive, vintage red wine. “You did that on purpose!” He screeched as he jumped out of his seat.
“Please remain seated and fasten your seatbelts!” Riley called from the front of the plane as she caught herself on the wall, “Just a little turbulence!”
Liam frantically tried to make his way back to the cockpit, but Tariq was blocking the aisle, demanding Max be fired while Max ineffectively wiped at the spreading stain with a cocktail napkin.
Tariq’s face had gone a deep shade of crimson, “Captain Liam, I demand that he be reprimanded!”
“Move you jackass!” Liam yelled as he shoved the man aside in desperation to make it back to the flight deck.
By the time Liam crashed through the cockpit door, the plane was righted, and Drake was on the intercom doing damage control, “Just a little unexpected turbulence. We apologize for the momentary roughness, but it should be clear skies and smooth sailing from here on out.”
“What the fuck was that?” Liam demanded as he retook his seat and started double-checking everything on the instrument panel, just to be sure.
“Turbulence,” Drake answered but he didn’t make eye contact and his face was red.
The door creaked open, and Riley stuck her head in, “Is everything okay in here? Drake was that because-“
“Everything is fine,” he yelled, “It was turbulence! Please return to your duty station crew member!”
Liam’s eyes flicked from Drake to Riley and back again. A broad smile spread across his face as Riley backed out of the cockpit, “Oh, I see. Turbulence….” Liam relaxed back into his seat; all his panic washed away as understanding settled over him.
“Shut up,” Drake still wasn’t looking at him.
“Turbulence never looked so good,” Liam chuckled as he updated the flight log and triple-checked the instrument panel.
Drake shifted uncomfortably in his seat and then glanced at his watch with a sigh. It was going to be a very long flight.
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The Royal Romance, Bk1 Ch1: Once Upon a Time (Pt. 2)
Click here for the TRR retelling series masterlist for more chapters! 🏰
Story Summary: In this novel-style retelling of TRR, beloved scenes with original commentary from the Choices stories including your favourite group of royals and friends will be expanded upon. Contains extended commentary and scenes from the original story, in-depth descriptions of bonus scenes, and premium choices and outfits.
Chapter Synopsis: Love awaits in the royal court of Cordonia as Riley competes for the Crown Prince! Will she accept his proposal, or will someone else win her heart?
Word Count: 2k
Disclaimer: All rights to original commentary, scenes, and characters from The Royal Romance series reserved to Choices and Pixelberry Studios. No copyright infringement intended.
~ ~ ~
A short time later, they all found themselves outside the restaurant address Maxwell provided. He promised Liam and Drake nothing but the best for his two best friends, so they had no choice but to trust in his plan and follow him to where the night would supposedly begin.
However, it was an odd location to have a restaurant, considering it was squished in between a car dealership and a gas station. They thought it would have at least been surrounded by other well-known, swanky restaurants.
“I know this looks like a closed auto shop, but I’m sure it’s part of the theme,” Maxwell added, as they gazed up at the building wondering why it wasn’t busy at this time of the night.
Liam had never seen a restaurant with decor for that specific theme. New York was filled with surprises. “How intriguing.”
Drake banged on the door, but no one answered. The building’s windows provided a chance for them to peek inside and see the cars, tools, and tires inside. Something wasn’t right about this so-called “restaurant” Maxwell had bragged about on their way over. Where were the people? Where was the food?
“These rust stains are so authentic,” Liam remarked, brushing his hand over one of them. The attention to detail was very admirable for the authentic auto shop environment.
Maxwell glanced down at his phone with confusion, tilting his head to the side. “I don’t get it. I searched for ‘Michelin,’ and this came up…”
Of course. Now it made sense. Drake looked at Maxwell, slowly saying, “You do know Michelin also makes tires.”
“Why would the same company that controls the most prestigious food ratings also make tires, Drake? That doesn’t even make sense,” Maxwell answered, a bewildered look on his face as he scratched his head.
Drake sighed. What did a man have to do to get some whiskey at that moment? “I’m too hungry to explain this to you, and I don’t want to eat a tire for dinner.”
Looking around in their surroundings, Drake spotted a hole-in-the-wall bar on the other end of the street. There were a few patrons heading in and out but compared to the restaurants further down the road, it didn’t seem as crowded or stuffy as he would have thought for a Friday night. Plus, it was the closest one they could find, anyway.
“That place is open and empty. Let’s go,” Drake suggested, gesturing to Liam and Maxwell to follow him down the street.
__________
In the host area of the bar and restaurant, the men all met up with Tariq. The restaurant had a rustic feel to it with exposed brick and pine panels around them on the walls. There were numerous booths with shiny red leather seats and oak tables.
Several French wine barrels served as decor on the walls. There was a particularly large sign listing the establishment’s special of the month was plastered near the main bar area where the beer taps and shelves of alcohol were set out on display.
“You know, I’m not sure this is the best restaurant in New York,” Maxwell remarked. The place wasn’t bad or anything, but he expected a place with more ear-splitting tunes and drunk partying for a bachelor party. How else were they supposed to let loose?
Taking note of the relatively smaller number of people in that building compared to others nearby, Drake simply said, “I didn’t say it was the best. I said it was open and empty.”
Liam, on the other hand, was fascinated by his surroundings and smiled to himself. While the bar had its charms that not everyone would have valued, he thought it was rather refreshing. Very different from the polished palaces and mansions he had grown used to, almost like it was a brand new place to discover. “I find it charming… Shall we—”
But whatever he was about to say was cut off by his phone ringing. Fishing his phone out of his pocket, Liam peered down at his phone’s screen. At the sight of his father’s name on the caller ID, he knew it might have been an urgent matter. It didn’t feel right for him to ignore his father for his own night out. What if something had happened back home? What if he was needed?
“Go on ahead, I’ll be there in a minute,” Liam insisted to his friends, walking away briskly to take the phone call.
Meanwhile, Riley glanced at the door as a group strolled in. Tariq was dressed in a luxurious dark grey suit and tie with a lavender dress shirt that most likely cost more than Riley’s monthly earnings. Maxwell was the definition of a smooth, polished man dressed in his long-sleeved black shirt, dark brown khakis, and brown derby shoes. On the other hand, Drake gave the impression of being both down-to-earth and dignified with his light denim shirt done halfway up, a white shirt, black pants, and mahogany dress boots.
“Waitress, there you are. We need your best table!” Tariq called out, spotting Riley with an excited grin.
Drake chuckled, running a hand through his chestnut-coloured hair. It was easy now to get excited about the bachelor party when there was a very humble place serving his favourite drink of all time on their menu. “Forget the table. Just bring us whiskey, and lots of it.”
Riley headed to the main counter of the bar where she swiped a few menus from the shelves underneath. When she popped her head back up, she was met face-to-face with a stricken-looking Daniel who briskly typed away on his phone.
“Riley, please take this one. I’ve got a date tonight, and I’ll never make it out of here in time.” Daniel pleaded, glancing down at his watch as if he was tracking down the seconds to his date.
“You really want me to take the bachelor party?” Riley asked, raising her eyebrows in surprise. Then she snuck a peek back at the group of men animatedly talking to one another as if the night had only just begun for them. She grinned. “I’m on it. The tip will be insane! I’ll have those guys eating out of my hand in no time.”
Daniel let out an enthusiastic whoop, before placing his hands on Riley’s shoulders with a sigh of relief. “You’re the best!”
“Are you still talking? I’ve seated them already. Now get over there before I dock your pay!” The manager threatened, his mouth turning down in another stern frown.
Once past the front doors, Liam was outside by himself. The streets were fairly busy on the side of the road they were on with groups heading to different bars and restaurants. Many of them appeared to be intoxicated and caused ruckus by hollering out lyrics to songs he had never heard of. It made him smile, however, seeing how carefree they were and how they didn’t have to overthink their responsibilities to simply have fun for one night.
Liam answered the call on his phone, pressing his phone up to his ear. “Hello?”
“Son, I’m so happy to reach you. The news coming off your American tour has been quite positive,” Liam’s father, King Constantine, greeted him. “Though, I’m surprised you’re not back at the palace. Your team said your flight was leaving this morning.”
One month earlier, Liam had been sent to America to embark on a tour on behalf of Cordonia. Now that he was the new Crown Prince, his father insisted that he have a hand in international affairs by meeting with various American ambassadors and leaders to forge more alliances between America and Cordonia.
For weeks, he had sat through endless conferences, meetings, galas, and dinners all in the interest of improving Cordonia’s relations with other American dignitaries. The one positive shining light in it was he had Drake and Maxwell by his side the entire time, but he had never been able to put his responsibilities in the back of his mind until this night.
Liam pursed his lips together, attempting to word his answers properly. “I know I was supposed to be back earlier, but…we took a detour to New York.”
“A detour?” Constantine asked in surprise. Liam heard the sound of a chair’s legs screeching against the floor, a sign his father had stood up from his spot in shock.
“Nothing to be concerned about,” Liam quickly brushed off, keeping his voice as neutral as possible.
He had gotten very good over the years learning how to mask his emotions to maintain stoicism, a skill he used frequently in times of distress and danger. His father’s worrying was harmless but if he heard of any potential danger, Liam knew he would be ordered immediately to return to Cordonia.
Constantine, however, remained unconvinced at Liam’s response as he solemnly commented, “You’re the Crown Prince of Cordonia. Anything unexpected is a concern.”
“Not in this case. Trust me, I can handle myself,” Liam reassured his father. He knew his father was merely looking out for him, and he loved him very dearly. The last thing he would want was to worry him from halfway across the world.
“Of course you can. But be cautious,” Constantine advised his son. There was a brief pause on the phone, then he spoke again, “I’m proud of you. I just want you to know that.”
“Thank you, Father,” Liam beamed, a grin on his face although his father couldn’t see. He wanted nothing more than to be a son worthy of his father’s praise.
Constantine continued, “I know you won’t do anything to disappoint me or the Crown.”
Liam stiffened, almost as if the guilt ate at him for disobeying orders and going out on a whim with agreeing to this bachelor party the guys had planned. He politely answered, “Of course not, Father.”
“That’s always been your brother’s specialty, as you know,” Constantine remarked.
At the mention of his older brother, Leo, Liam was no longer in the mood to make conversation. Constantine rarely praised Leo anymore as much as he did before he abdicated, which made Liam feel conflicted. Leo was his roguish older brother who had his back at every moment when they grew up in the palace together.
He admired Leo and Constantine more than anyone could ever know. He knew the three of them had always been so close before and to see the bond weaken between Leo and his father knowing he couldn’t do anything to mend it was hard on him.
Liam thought to himself once more, before saying, “Mm. Well, I must get back. Take care.”
With that, Liam hung up the phone. For a moment, he stood underneath the pale light from the streetlamps and imagined himself as one of the young college students he saw passing by had he been in an alternate universe where he wasn’t born as a prince of Cordonia.
He pictured himself walking freely around campus to go to classes with Drake and Maxwell, not having a bodyguard on standby 24/7. Liam imagined going out to clubs with the two of them without asking for permission and being able to enjoy himself without worrying about how it affected his representation of his country. It would be much easier for him to meet more people of his age over an unsupervised drink or two compared to how many other noble ladies he’d met before at previous formal dinners.
A dull ache filled Liam’s chest, the way it always presented itself whenever he dreamed of a distant universe where his life was not his own. In previous therapy sessions, he had learned that dwelling in the possible outcomes in the past had no place in his busy life as a Cordonian royal as it only brought him stress and disappointment. With a shake of his head, he sighed and headed back inside.
~ ~ ~
Click here for the TRR retelling series masterlist for more chapters! 🏰
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Hands Down - Prologue
Pairing: Liam x Riley
All characters belong to Pixelberry
Summary: Can Liam and Riley still find their way to each other despite Riley turning down Maxwell's invitation to Cordonia?
Rating: G
Word Count: 1,945
Song Inspiration: Hands Down - Dashboard Confessional
A/N: I am participating in @kingliamappreciationweek Day 5 (Friendships/Relationships/AU, all of which apply to this prologue), as well as @choicesflashfics Week 29, "That's all we/they are now. A memory. A faded picture. A failed potential." It will appear in bold below.
A/N 2: It's been a minute since I've posted anything, let alone started a new series. I've had bits and pieces of this story forever, but could never figure out how to put it all together. Then my aunt died (IYKYK), and I've been working on this ever since.
A/N 3: Thank you to those of you that I have been bombarding with ideas, snippets, and complaints. They're still going to be coming, probably now more than ever. But I appreciate you listening and humoring me. Especially @txemrn for looking over this prologue and making sure it was okay.
Tagging my usuals, if you'd like to be added or removed just let me know!
Liam was in a daze as he returned to his hotel suite, still thinking about her. They had only spent a couple of hours together, but it was all Liam needed to know that he was destined for so much more with Riley Brooks.
He fell back onto the couch and pulled out his phone, texting Maxwell to see if he was still up, and if he would join Liam in his room. He was, and he would.
While he had his phone in his hand, he opened his camera roll and looked fondly at the picture that they had taken together. Liam told her that it was because he wanted to remember his trip to the Statue of Liberty, but more than that, it was because he wanted to remember her. Not that she wasn’t permanently imprinted on his mind the second they locked eyes, but he wanted to have a photo of her, to have tangible proof that she wasn’t a dream.
A knock at the door pulled Liam’s attention away from his screen. He stood, returning his phone to his pocket as he answered to find Maxwell grinning on the other side.
“Well well well. Have fun, your highness?” His friends crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the doorframe.
Liam chuckled, he couldn’t help it. “More than you know. Please, come in.” He moved aside and motioned toward the sitting area.
“Soooooo… tell me everything. You seemed pretty smitten, I’ve never seen you like that before!”
“Maxwell, I’ve never felt like that before. She’s incredible. I’ve never felt more carefree, more happy.” Liam sighed at the memories of his evening. “That’s why I need your help.”
Maxwell’s head tilted in confusion. “Me? What can I do?”
“Ramsford doesn’t have a sponsor for the social season, correct?” Maxwell nodded slowly, still not sure where this was going. “I want you to sponsor Riley, to bring her to Cordonia.”
“Liam… are you sure? I mean we’re not prepared for that. We weren’t expecting to sponsor anyone.” Maxwell hesitated. He wanted his friend to be happy, but he also knew his family’s financial state, and he wasn’t sure they would be able to support a sponsee.
“Maxwell, I know your house has been having some… difficulties financially since your father took ill. I would be more than happy to pay for anything she needs. Discreetly, of course.”
Maxwell studied Liam’s expression, he had never seen his friend like this before. The textbook definition of stoicism, the young prince was never one to show his emotions so openly. But now? He could see the desperation, the need clear as day on his friends face.
“You really have it bad for her, don’t you?”
“More than I ever thought possible.” Liam answered.
“I’ll find her tomorrow morning before I head back.” He patted his friend on the shoulder.
***
Liam stood in the receiving line greeting the suitors one by one. It was the first night of his social season, but all he could think about was her. She was all he had been able to think about since the night before.
I hope she had a safe trip.
She’s going to look so beautiful.
I wonder if she’s been thinking of me the way I’ve been thinking of her.
I need to move through this line faster. She’s in it somewhere, I need to see her again.
Before long, the final suitor dipped into a courtesy and made her way back to the party. Liam looked around the room. Perhaps she had just gotten caught up in something and didn’t make it to the receiving line in time.
“Liam? Is everything alright?”
He turned around, to respond. “Yes father, I was just taking everything in.”
Constantine chuckled. “Well, enjoy it son. This is all for you. It’s the beginning of a whole new chapter.”
Liam nodded, looking past his father to the bar where Maxwell was ordering a drink. “Father, if you’ll excuse me for a moment.” He didn’t wait for a response before stepping away.
“Maxwell.” Liam greeted his friend as he stood next to him at the bar.
“Oh, Liam. Hey!” Maxwell shifted uncomfortably on his feet. “Happy social season!” He held up his drink, smiling awkwardly.
“Where is she?” Liam asked, anxious to see her again.
“Riley?” Maxwell asked, trying to buy as much time as he could. Dreading having to deliver the news. “She… well, she’s not here.”
“Why not? It’s the first event of the season, is she running late?” Liam began rambling, a knot forming in the pit of his stomach. “Was there an issue getting her a gown? I could…”
“Liam,” Maxwell interrupted. “She’s not here as in, she’s not in Cordonia. She didn’t come.”
“What… why?”
That Morning
“Riley!” Maxwell jogged up to the familiar figure as she unlocked the door of the bar.
She turned to face him as the door opened. “Oh hey, Maxwell, right? Did you forget something last night?”
“No, I actually had a proposition for you.” Riley furrowed her brows. “Do you have a minute to talk?”
“Sure, come in. We don’t open for another hour, so I can spare a few.” She walked into the building, and he followed behind.
As she approached the bar, she pulled down one of the stools and signaled for him to sit. He took a seat and she stepped behind the bar, grabbing an apron and tying it around her waist.
“So, you and Liam seemed to hit it off last night.” Maxwell said, wanting to gauge Riley’s take on the evening. He wanted to make sure Liam didn’t misinterpret, or misunderstand her side of the outing.
A slow smile spread across Riley’s face, the same one Liam had on his the night before. That’s when he knew the feeling was very mutual.
“We did. I’ve never met anyone like him before. Hell, I didn’t think guys like him existed in real life. I hope whoever wins that social season realizes how lucky they are.” She said wistfully.
Maxwell grinned, this was going better than he had hoped. “What if you were the one to win it?”
“Ha-ha, yeah right.” She replied, shaking her head and turning to empty the dishwasher.
“No, I’m serious.” He assured her. “Each noble house sponsors a suitor. Since we don’t have any sisters we can pick whoever we want. And I pick you!”
Riley froze and turned back around looking at Maxwell with a shocked expression. “You,” she pointed at him. “Want me,” she turned her finger to point at herself. “To come with you to a county I only just found out about like twelve hours ago, to join some fancy royal version of The Bachelor to try to marry a prince?”
“I wasn’t going to word it quite like that, but more or less.” He shrugged.
“But… why me?”
“Riley, Liam couldn’t stop talking about you. He was so happy last night. Happier than I’ve ever seen him, and we’ve known each other forever. His life is full of meetings, and stuffy dinners, and boring things he does because it’s his duty. He gets to break away and have fun sometimes, but those times are getting less and less now that he’s ramping up to become King. He’s such a good person, he puts everyone else ahead of himself. He deserves to be the kind of happy you make him all the time.”
Riley was silent, examining Maxwell’s expression. He seemed to be sincere. “Maxwell, that’s really sweet of you. Liam’s lucky to have a friend like you looking out for him.” She started. “But be realistic, even if I came with you, I’d have to quit both of my jobs and put school on hold. Basically quit my life to travel halfway across the world for the chance to be with Liam. It wouldn’t even be a guarantee.”
“He asked me to sponsor you!” Maxwell blurted out.
Riley’s breath caught in her throat, she hadn’t been expecting that. “But why? He doesn’t even know me.”
“He knows enough to believe that there could be something between you two.”
She blinked back the tears that had started to rise. She felt it too, but it was a major risk. Riley Brooks didn’t take risks. “Yeah, but even if I did come with you, that doesn’t mean anything. He told me about the social season, it’s not like he’s going to be able to just send the other girls home the second he sees me. Everyone gets a say, and I'm a nobody from America. I know nothing about your country. I don’t know about your customs. Hell, I don’t even like fancy foods, I’d probably make a fool of myself and be laughed out of the country at the first dinner.”
“But Riley…”
“Maxwell,” She reached across the bar, placing her hand over his. “You’re such a good friend to come here for him. But my answer is no. Maybe if we were in a different time, or a different place, but we’re here. These are the cards we were dealt, our lives are just too different for it to work.” She swallowed over the lump in her throat. “I need to get things set up to open. Have a safe trip back.” She turned and walked to the back, leaving Maxwell alone.
“I’m so sorry Liam. I tried, I really did.” Maxwell said sympathetically. He could see the pain in his friend’s eyes, despite his attempts to remain composed. “I don’t know if it helps or hurts, but she had the same dreamy look on her face when she talked about you that you had when you talked about her. Everything you felt last night, she felt it too.”
Liam cleared his throat, “Thank you Maxwell. It was a longshot, but I’m very grateful to you for trying. If you’ll excuse me.” He nodded solemnly to his friend before walking away, moving to the double doors that lead to the balcony.
He stepped outside and breathed a sigh of relief that he was alone. He approached the balustrade, leaning his forearms against it as he gazed out to the garden maze. He thought about Riley, what she was doing right now, if she missed him as much as he missed her.
Perhaps he had just gotten caught up in the magic of the evening, he had overromanticized their connection. He took his phone out of his pocket and pulled up their picture. He examined their faces, they both looked so happy. He placed his thumb and index finger on the screen, dragging them apart to zoom in on her face. He was trained to read people, and everything about her, both in that moment, and in the photo, told him that she had been feeling exactly what he had been. Even Maxwell had noticed it the next day when he went to talk to her.
It just hadn’t been enough.
“That's all we are now. A memory. A faded picture. A failed potential.” He lamented as he continued to stare down at the picture, remembering their night together.
“Liam.” His father’s short tone startled him so much that he nearly dropped his phone off of the balcony.
“Father,” he turned, discreetly returning his device to his pocket.
“What are you doing out here by yourself? You should be in there spending time with your suitors. The season is going to go by quickly, you need to take every opportunity to get to know your potential brides.”
“Yes father.” Liam closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to get Riley out of his mind.
**********
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Where Do We Go From Here?
I am participating in @choicesflashfics prompt week 28 using: “I saw this and it reminded me of you, and “Sometimes forever doesn’t necessarily mean forever” and past prompt “I don’t regret it... but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a mistake.” All used quotes will be in bold.
I am also participating in @aprilchallenge for the over all theme Just want to be with you.
This is Part 8 of the Cordonian Arrangement.
The Book: TRF
The Series: The Cordonian Arrangement
Pairings: MC is widowed, Past Pairings Riley x Nico (Riley x M!OC) , Past Pairing of Liam x Riley
Word Count: 2232
Warnings and Ratings: Mention of character death, grief. Mention of pregnancy complications, profanity: / Teen
Summary: Riley and Liam try to deal with a very awkward situation.
Original Post 04/14/23 at 2PM EST.
It was barely dawn and the sun was only creeping slightly through the windows. When she moved, his embrace tightened, pulling her back close to him, so that he could lean into her to kiss her neck. He sharply inhaled because her natural scent was so intoxicating to him. He had missed sharing tender moments like this with her.
Riley was still waking from her slumber but to her, it felt like a typical morning, that she had lived every day when waking in his arms was commonplace.
She moaned softly as he continued to gently dot kisses to the sensitive skin of her neck, her body responded naturally to his touch.
“Let’s stay in bed. Don’t go…." she mumbled in her sleep. “Stay with me.”
“Always.”
His voice made her immediately leave that place of pre woke slumber to soberingly wide awake, quickly pulling away from him.
“Liam….”
Fully awake, all the memories of the last few months, and from last night flooded back to her in a wave.
Observing the shock and almost disappointment in her eyes, Liam knew, as she shielded her bare body from him with the bedsheet.
Liam’s voice was heavy with discontentment as he spoke.
“That wasn’t intended for me, was it?” Liam’s gaze was piercing, full of disappointment causing Riley to quickly break eye contact with him. She just couldn’t look him in the face right now, but she wanted to be honest with him; he deserved that.
“No… I’m…. sorry….” She murmured as she turned heading towards the door still draped in the sheet from the bed.
“Riley, we need to talk about this. There’s a reason you came to me last night. It felt right for us to be together that way. We felt like us again!”
“For a brief second, this morning, I forgot the horror that has been my life these last three months. Last night, I was lonely… I wanted to feel…. connected to someone again. I didn’t mean to give you the wrong idea, and for that Liam, I’m truly sorry."
“Do you regret what happened between us last night?”
“No… I don’t regret it… but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a mistake. It was a mistake Liam. We have way too much history for me to think that you would simply be okay with it. This is all my fault. I should have been clear with you what last night truly was….for me.”
“We made love last night Riley.”
“We… didn’t. It was just sex, Liam. I’m still in love with my husband.” She glanced down at the ring on her finger that she was still wearing. Nico's wedding band dangled from a gold chain around her neck.
“Your husband is dead.”
Riley gasped in shock. Liam immediately wanted to take the words back, but it was too late; the damage was done. Riley shook her head in disbelief.
“Who are you?”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like it came out, Riley. Forgive me, I didn’t mean it Riley. I promise you I didn’t.”
"Yes you did."
"I really didn't…"
“Get out of my house.”
“Riley….No… We’re supposed to take Angelo to the zoo together today.”
“GET OUT OF MY HOUSE NOW!!!!”
"Riley please…."
She adamantly shook her head no.
"Nico was wrong about what you and I could be to each other. I need you to pack your stuff and leave now.."
“Riley, that's not fair for you to say that. We’re still figuring all of this out. This isn’t easy for either of us to navigate.”
“I need you to leave Liam.”
“Not like this. I’m not leaving you like this Riley.”
“Fine, then I’ll leave.”
Riley left his room and locked herself in the master bedroom.
After a few minutes she heard the sound of Liam’s rolling suitcase on the floor, it stopping in front of her bedroom door.
“I’m going to say goodbye to my son before I leave.”
"You should do that."
"For what it's worth Riley, I'm really sorry."
“Goodbye Liam.”
A few minutes later Liam was gone. Riley took a deep breath finally unlocking her door.
Ruby One
“I was sure you said you were here until Monday, how the hell did I fuck that up?” Leo asked when he got on the plane clearly confused and hungover.
“That was the plan.”
“Well what went wrong?”
Liam explained what happened with Riley.
“You’re an absolute fool when it comes to Riley. That woman is a walking red flag right now, and trust me I know a red flag when I see one.”
“What?”
“It’s not her fault though, she lost her husband. You ignored all the signs because you want her back, and Riley’s not there yet. She can't be what you want her to be Liam…at least not right now. You have had a front seat to her grieving Nico.
You know how hard this whole ordeal has been for her. When I saw her last, she was still wearing her wedding ring, and his wedding band. Did she take them off?”
“No.”
“That’s not a woman that’s ready to move on with you, no matter how much you want her to be ready. She’s stuck in that place where she still desperately misses her husband, and wants him back.
She was probably lonely, and let's be honest horny, and you were there, and she sought comfort from you, in that way. You had to know what you were getting into when she showed up at your door last night. Liam, be honest with yourself. It wasn’t the beginning of rekindling of your relationship with her, and you knew that, but you wanted her so much, that you didn’t care. You just wanted her, any way you could have her.”
“You’re right. I love her."
“Liam, you have to give her time. If the two of you are meant to be, she will come back to you. But what you did, didn’t help the situation, you got mad with her and said something incredibly hurtful. It was true, mind you, but hurtful. You do this to her, you know and you need to stop."
"Do what?"
"You impose all these things on her, expecting her to follow them, to be what you what, how you want it, when you want it. Then you get all surprised that she rebelled against you and ran, and put up every wall imaginable to keep you out, this not being the first time she’s reacted this way to you. Does this sound familiar?"
"I'm acting just like father would….."
“You are little brother.”
“Give her some space, and she’ll come back around.”
“If she doesn’t?”
“It was just never meant to be, and if we’re being completely honest here, you lost her over three years ago; it might be time to finally let her go.”
Liam was in a deep state of contemplation the rest of the way back to Cordonia. He decided it was time to listen to his own message that was given to him by the late Nico Karahalios. Liam pulled his own envelopes out of his desk drawer. He had given him two envelopes one said "If it's working" the other one said "If it's not working."
He picked up the "If it's not working" video and began watching.
"Hey Liam. I can honestly say… I’m not surprised.”
Nico smiled. "You thought it was going to be easy, didn't you?"
Nico began to laugh.
"You really did, didn't you?!!"
Nico abruptly stopped laughing. "I'm sorry. This is not helpful.”
"Damn right it's not." Liam thought.
“I’m sure that you were expecting more from me.”
Nico sat silently for a few moments.
"Like what exactly? Did you think this was the part where I am going to tell you how to win my wife's heart back? How to get her to fall in love with you again? I'm not going to do that. I can't do that. She's not going to do anything because you want her to do it. She does things on her own time. That woman has her own mind, and she's not afraid to use it. Liam, she's a different woman than the one that came here a week after you met her in New York. None of the same rules are going to apply. You have to get to know her again as the woman she is now. She’s been a lover and a confidant to me, she’s been a faithful wife, and a beautiful mother. How I won her then, I can’t even take credit for that, I didn't win her, but instead she chose me.
I think she chose me because I was patient with her. I did what I said I was going to do. If I told her, we were meeting at 6PM for dinner, I’d be knocking on her door at 5:50. She could always rely on me being there for her. Comfort and stability allowed her to relax with me, because Riley is not a calm person. Her senses are always heightened, waiting for the other shoe to drop, because of all the hurt and loss she’s experienced in her life. I finally got her to relax with me…and then I died on her. I will never forget the look in her eyes when I told her I was dying. She was completely blindsided. The light after everything she’s endured that you see in her eyes so easily, disappeared. It broke my heart.”
Nico shook his head.
“Our marriage wasn’t perfect. We had our fair share of fights. Our very first year of marriage was particularly tough. We lived with my mother. Can you imagine? Small house, with a newborn, while my cousins helped me build the house we were in now. Our first really huge fight, after we moved in, Riley kicked me out of the house and locked me out.”
Nico laughed.
“From my house. I slept in a tent in the yard for 3 days. My cousins saw me, talked all this macho shit to me, and so I got all ballsy and I went up to MY HOUSE. MY HOUSE THAT I BUILT FOR MY WIFE…And insisted Riley let me back in. You know what happened Liam? Can you guess?”
Nico was silent for a few moments.
“It was the equivalent of upsetting a bee hive. I spent a fourth night out in that damn tent. Day five, I left her alone. Day six, when I woke, she had brought me breakfast, and wanted to talk. Was she still angry with me? Yes, but she had calmed down enough that she could talk to me without shutting down on me. I hope you understand what I’m trying to tell you.
Riley put up with a lot to be in that arrangement with you, that experience changed her. Now, yet again, she will be forever changed from losing me. I don’t know if she’ll come around. I hope she will, because I want her to be happy, Liam. She’s had too much sadness in her life, to not be. I wanted to be her forever, and sometimes, forever doesn’t necessarily mean forever.
So in closing, whatever you did wrong… Make it right Liam.”
Liam decided to take a page from Nico’s book. He gave her space. Finally after the most painful weeks of not speaking to Riley, he decided to send her a text. Riley used to like a good meme in the past, so he decided to send her one.
“I saw this, and it reminded me of you. Just imagine they are butterflies, and I remember how you feel about butterflies.”
Later in the day he noticed she had seen the meme, but she hadn’t responded. He decided not to push and maybe Riley would respond on her own. During the night while Liam was sleeping she sent a meme back to him.
He took it as a sign she was ready to talk.
He immediately called her and once she picked up he started speaking, not even waiting for her to say hello.
“Riley, I completely deserved the way you treated me that day. I’m so sorry for what I said. I never meant it, and I never meant to hurt you. Please forgive me.”
“This isn’t Riley. It’s Athena, we just got Riley to the hospital, she wanted me to call you.”
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s the baby. We’re really concerned.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Staff had the Ruby One prepped for departure within the hour. Leo when hearing the news decided to go with him for support. Within three hours they were at the hospital.
"What room is Riley Karahalios in? I need to see her."
"Are you family?" The receptionist questioned, and when he didn't respond she countered with "Only family is allowed back in this wing."
"He is family. He's the baby's father."
"He's right. I am the baby's father.”
She’s in room 224.”
Leo followed as Liam walked briskly down the hall at an accelerated pace.
“She’s going to be fine. Her and the baby are going to be fine. They have to be.”
Athena and Mama K were sitting outside the room when he walked up. Athena immediately stood.
“Athena, what happened to Riley?”
“She was having pains, and there was some bleeding. We were really scared. It’s stopped now. They have her calm and she’s finally resting.”
Liam walked into the room, Riley was snoring, the beeps of the multiple monitors didn’t seem to be bothering her. Taking her hand in her sleep and gently stroking it, Riley still did not wake. So he sat there quietly holding her hand.
He softly whispered to her. “I’m here.”
Riley woke up a short time later.
“What are you doing here Liam?” Her hand tensing slightly under his touch.
“Athena told me you wanted her to call me.”
“No I didn’t….”
“Oh…”
“But I’m glad she did. I told her not to, because, I didn’t want to worry you.”
Riley’s hand relaxed in his again, her free hand rubbing her stomach.
“I thought I lost her, and I can’t lose both of them. I can’t handle that. I’m such a mess right now. I’ve never felt this out of sorts in my life. I’m sorry I got so angry with you. I get that this isn’t an easy situation for you either.”
Liam could almost hear the words of the late Nico Karahalios in his ear. “You have to get to know her as the woman she is now.”
“It’s alright. I know. How about this? Let’s just start over. Let’s forget all the missteps on both our parts, and start at the very beginning. I’m Liam Rys, it’s a pleasure to meet you….”
“I’m Riley. Riley Karahalios.”
And that’s the woman, she is now.
#bebepac writes#the cordonian arrangement#riley x nico#liam x riley#choices fanfiction#choices flashfics#choices monthly challenge#trr fanfic#trr fandom#liam rys#riley brooks#choices fic writers creations
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Murder at Vista Heights Chapter 3
Series: Law’s End
Episode 1: Murder at Vista Heights
Fandom: The Royal Romance (loosely, there’s not much canon in here).
Pairings: None yet
Word Count: 2,521
Rating: MA
Warnings for series: adult themes, any given chapter may contain murder, violence, language, drinking, drug use, etc.
My other stuff can be found on my main blog @angelasscribbles here is the Master List.
“Well?” The chief of homicide demanded a glower on his face.
“I…this has to be some kind of mistake…” Liam’s face was ashen as he pulled the sketch from Bertrand’s hands.
Max gripped Riley gently but firmly by the shoulder and pulled her back and to the side, quietly shifting them out of anyone’s direct line of sight.
Riley allowed herself to be moved. If no one noticed her, they would speak more freely, and she might learn something.
“Are you questioning Ms. Nevrakis’s ability to render an accurate image from the witness’s verbal account?”
“What? No, of course not!” his eyes jumped to Lilith and the woman he had questioned earlier. Lilith’s sketches had helped catch plenty of perpetrators. She was very good at what she did. Still.
He stalked across the room and thrust the sketch under the older woman’s nose, “Mrs. Haltom, this is the man you saw arguing with the victim?”
Riley strained to hear, holding her breath as she leaned in their direction.
“That’s the man I saw leaving his apartment after hearing the argument.”
“Did he say anything as he was leaving? Anything you can positively attribute to him?”
“Yes, he said ‘If you don’t back off, I’ll personally fucking kill you!’”
“I…thank you,” Liam’s shoulders slumped in defeat, “You can go now.”
“Max!” Riley hissed as she drug Max toward the door the woman was headed for, “We have to follow her and see if she’ll tell us-“
“You’re not going anywhere!” Liam’s voice thundered out, freezing her in place, “Stay right there! I’m going to need a word with you!”
“Fuck!” Riley muttered as she watched Liam and Bertrand disappear into the chief’s office, “She’s getting away!”
“I’ll go!” Max offered, hesitating as he waited for her response.
“Yes!” Riley made a shooing motion with her hands, “Go! Get her full name and phone number so I can question her later!”
“On it!” Max scrambled out the door and down the hall after the witness.
Riley sauntered closer to Liam’s desk, her eyes scanning the top of it for any files or notes that might be left lying around in plain sight. Her eyes flicked over to the glass window of Bertrand’s office.
She’d give a lot to be a fly on the wall in there right now.
Her gaze fell back on the paperwork scattering Liam’s desk. There was a manilla file folder labeled, “Hayes”. She glanced quickly around the room. No one was paying any attention to her.
Her fingers tugged the folder out from under the two others and slid it to the edge of the desk. Flipping it open, her eyes scanned the first page quickly. Before she could turn to the next page, she was startled by a voice from behind her, “Can I help you with something?”
Shit!
She jumped guilty and spun around to find an unfamiliar man standing behind her. He had shaggy shoulder-length brown hair, hazel green eyes, and a deadly serious expression on his face. Her eyes dipped to take in the badge clipped on his belt and the gun holstered on his hip.
“I was waiting for Liam- I mean detective Rys, he told me to wait here.” She hoped he couldn’t hear her heart thundering guiltily in her chest.
The detective’s gaze stayed stern as he asked, “Did he tell you to go through his confidential police files?”
“Ah…n-no…I wasn’t…I mean, I didn’t mean to, I just…I was looking for a pen and some paper so I could jot down a few notes.”
“Right.” His eyes narrowed.
“It’s okay, Flynn, Liam did tell her to wait here.” Lilith came to her rescue, handing her a pen and notepad, “Here you go. Why don’t you have a seat right over there.” She pointed to a couch near the wall.
“Thank you,” Riley gave Lilith a grateful smile and slunk away quickly before she got herself arrested.
The hardened homicide detective’s face softened as he turned his attention to the redhead, “I wasn’t trying to be an ass, but she was digging through confidential files!”
“I’m sure she didn’t realize it.”
Flynn threw a dark glance at Riley as he harrumphed before remembering the two cups of coffee in his hands. He thrust one toward Lilith, “Here. I…uh, thought you might like some coffee.”
“Oh! I…”
“Cream with two sugars, right?”
“That’s right! How’d you know?”
Flynn shrugged as he moved to the desk next to Liam’s and busied himself scooting folders around randomly. “That’s how you always take it. I’m a detective. I notice things.”
“Oh, well, thank you.” Lilith dropped her eyes to the cup in her hand as her cheeks flushed.
Riley clocked the interaction with interest and filed it away for future reference. Information was power and you never knew what secrets might come in handy down the road.
Liam shook his head as he faced off with his superior officer, “No. No! There’s no way Leo did this!”
“Liam….I know he’s your brother, but-“
“Look, sir. I know that his background is problematic but-“
“Problematic?” Bertrand snorted, “That’s the understatement of the year!”
“Like I said, I’m aware of his issues but-“
“I just don’t think you can be objective about this case. I’m transferring it to-“
“Sir, with all due respect, I’ve already investigated the scene, deposed the witnesses, coordinated with-“
“Yes, but if your brother is the perpetrator-“
“He’s not!”
“Even if he’s not, he’s at least a suspect and I need someone on this case that will give full and equal consideration to all leads!”
“Okay. How about this? You leave me on the case until and unless Leo becomes the prime suspect! Please, sir! Give me a chance to exonerate him!”
Bertrand pinched his bottom lip between his thumb and forefinger as he regarded the earnest detective sitting across from him. He knew that Liam struggled against the same obstacles that he himself struggled against. Namely, a family legacy of corruption.
Liam was assigned to the seventh precinct because Bertrand had been the only chief willing to take a chance on him. Liam was the son of Constantine Rys, the not-quite-disgraced former Sheriff of Lantano County, and younger brother of Leo Rys, a fully disgraced former vice detective in the CCPD.
Bertrand had seen himself in the younger man when he’d agreed to hire him. In contrast to his father and brother, Liam was by the book, conscientious and honorable. Leo though… he lived on the other side of the law now and gave two shits less who knew it.
“Liam,” Bertrand said gently, “I don’t think you see your brother clearly-“
“I do, sir. You don’t know him the way I do!”
“Maybe not, but we both know what he’s capable of, Detective.”
Liam shook his head vehemently, “That was different! He wouldn’t just-“
“And what if he did?” Bertrand snapped, “What if all the evidence points to him?”
Liam glared at his boss for a minute before wilting, “Then I’ll arrest himself, sir. No one is above the law.”
“Right now, everything points to him. We have an eyewitness that puts him at the scene, and multiple witnesses that overheard the very loud, very heated argument just hours before the murder!”
“I have another suspect!” Liam protested, “I was just about to interview the informant!”
Bertrand nodded his head, “Tell you what. I’ll leave you on the case for now, but O’Malley takes the lead. You’ll assist him and I expect hourly updates! Is that understood?”
“Yes! Thank you, sir!”
“And Liam…if it turns out Leo did this, you’ll have to step away.”
“Yes, sir. I understand.”
Max slid himself onto the black faux leather couch next to Riley.
“Did you get the information?” She whispered.
“Oh yeah,” his grin lit up his whole face, “Her name, her number, her life story, the fact that she has a granddaughter my age who’s single and a dinner date for six o’clock tonight!”
“Six o’clock?”
“She’s old, Riley.”
“Fine. Six it is. I’m impressed, Max! How’d you get her to agree to dinner?”
He shifted uncomfortably, “I agreed to meet her granddaughter. She’s coming to dinner too.”
Riley clapped both hands over her mouth as she tried to repress the giggle that threatened to bubble out of her.
“Yeah, yeah, yuck it up. The shit I do for you…”
“Ah, Max, you love this as much as I do! And who knows? Maybe she’ll be a hottie and you’ll hit it off!”
His shoulders slumped as his eyes tracked across her face, “That’s not very likely.”
“Why not?”
Before he could answer, the door to Bertrand’s office opened and Liam stepped out.
“O’Malley!” Bertrand barked.
Flynn pulled himself away from Lilith and jogged across the room as Liam made his way back to his desk and motioned for Riley and Max to take the chairs across from him.
Liam drew in a deep breath to steady himself before lifting his eyes to Riley, “You said you have a suspect with motive. Who?”
“William Sloan.”
Liam blinked slowly, “William Sloan? The CEO of Sloan Enterprises?”
“That’s the one!” Riley smiled brightly at him.
“What’s the motive?”
Riley glanced around the office then leaned over the desk, “His wife, Katie Sloan might have been sleeping with the victim!”
“Might have been? Based on what evidence?”
“Well, he was concerned enough to hire a private detective to have her followed and she was followed right to a meeting with the murder victim.”
Liam sat up in interest, “When was this meeting? Where did it take place? Who was the private detective?”
“Oh…um…” she slid her eyes sidewise to Max.
Max straighten in his chair as he counted backward in his head, “Five nights ago, at the bar in the lobby of the Savoy Hotel.”
Liam’s gaze swung from Riley to Max in surprise, “Now I know you’re not a private investigator, are you?”
“No, officer, I’m a photographer.”
“So how do you know this and who-“
Riley placed a hand on Max’s chest to forestall any further comments from him, “Max just happened to see them there and he’s reporting it to you, as a good citizen.”
“Uh huh,” Liam leaned back in his chair as he returned his attention to Riley, “And how do you know about William Sloan hiring a PI?”
“I can’t reveal my sources,” She returned his gaze levelly.
“Riley, I’m going to need a little more to go on than your word.”
“Well, I would imagine you can pull security footage from the bar on the night in question.”
“We can and we will. It would be really helpful if you would just tell me the name of this PI.”
With a coy grin, she placed her elbow on his desk and leaned her chin in her hand, “And what do I get out of that deal?”
His mouth went dry as he properly identified the teasing lilt in her tone and the flirty flutter of her eyelashes. This woman was infuriating. She had no right to be so frustrating and alluring at the same damn time. She did things to him that he didn’t like to admit. But she was a reporter and had already proven that he couldn’t trust her. He hated that he knew exactly what it sounded like when she came and that he desperately wanted to hear it again.
Pushing his sudden arousal to the side, he shook his head, “Helping solve a murder? Isn’t that enough?”
“If I go around throwing my sources under the bus, they’ll stop telling me things.”
“Fine,” Liam blew out a frustrated sigh, “Is there anything you can tell me? Do you know the nature of Katie and Trent’s relationship? Was she cheating on her husband with him?”
“I don’t know if she was sleeping with him or not, but Trent and Katie used to be engaged!”
“Did they?”
“Yes, you can look that up. It’s a matter of public record.”
“Oh, I will,” he pushed away from his desk, walked around it, and motioned toward the exit, “Now, unless you have anything else useful to tell me-“
Riley and Max stood, but while Max headed for the exit, Riley turned back to Liam, laying a hand on his arm she lowered her voice, “I hope this is enough to take the suspicion off your brother.”
His face paled, “You heard all that?”
“Enough,” she shrugged, “For what it’s worth, if you say he didn’t do it, that’s good enough for me. I believe you.”
He stared at her hand on his arm for a long moment before lifting his eyes to her. He found nothing but sincerity there as he whispered, “Thanks.”
“Anytime,” she smiled as she dropped her hand away from his arm and turned to go.
“Riley, wait!” He reached for her and spun her back toward him, “Please…don’t print my brother’s name.”
“Liam….I have a duty as an investigative journalist-“
“Please!”
She hesitated. The vulnerability in his eyes and the pleading in his tone conspired to weaken her resolve. “Fine. I won’t print his name for now but once you narrow down a suspect, you tell me first!”
“Riley, you know I can’t-“
She placed her palm flat on his chest, “I’m not asking you to give me confidential information. All I’m asking is that once the information is cleared for release to the press, you slip it to me first!” Because fuck that smug bastard Neville. This was her story and she intended to scoop him on every detail. “Deal?”
Liam’s jaw clenched as he considered her offer. “As long as the information has been cleared through official channels, then fine, I’ll call you before I send it to public relations.”
She gave him that smile again. The one that made him feel like he could climb a mountain for her if she wanted him to. She leaned forward and went up on her tiptoes to place a soft kiss on his cheek, “I think this is going to be a very mutually beneficial arrangement, Detective.”
He watched her walk toward the exit, and Max, who was waiting with his hands shoved in his pockets, giving Liam an appraising look.
Max placed his hand on the small of her back as they exited, shooting a glance back at Liam as he did so.
Interesting. Liam was suddenly curious about the nature of her relationship with her photographer. But there was no time to worry about it now. Right now, he had much bigger problems.
Liam’s head was spinning with the information he had just obtained. Far from exonerating his brother, this new piece of evidence could bury him further. Katie Sloan nee Vanderhilt wasn’t just Trenton Haye’s ex-fiancée, she was also his brother’s ex-girlfriend. If Katie Sloan was rekindling old flames, could she have fallen back into Leo’s bed? Pitted one lover against another?
With a sigh of trepidation, he pulled his phone out and dialed, “Leo, it’s Liam. I’m going to need you to come down to the station and answer some questions.”
#trr au#trr au fanfic#writeblr#crime drama#angelasscribbles#Law's End#laws end#cordonia city#maxwell beaumont#liam rys#drake walker#riley brooks#trr fandom#trr fanfic#the royal romance#no canon#choices fic writers creations#cfwc fics of the week
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All That She Wants Chapter 4: Infidelities
Series: All That She Wants
Fandom: The Royal Romance
Pairings for this chapter: Liam x Olivia, Riley x Drake
Word Count: 735
Rating: M
Warnings for this chapter: INFIDELITY
My other stuff: Master List.
The black bullet proof SUV from the royal fleet pulled down the long, twisting driveway toward its destination. The driver glided the vehicle to a stop in front of the entrance to the centuries-old Nevrakis stronghold.
Liam stepped out into the brisk air. Summer in Lythikos was invigorating, the air holding just a slight chill as opposed to the impenetrable cold that took hold of the place in the deep of winter.
There was an explosion of colors in the spring and no oppressive heat to kill the blooms off through the summer. The vibrant pinks and purples of the native flowers would last until the first frost. He had always loved it here in the summer.
He strode confidently to the door, king’s guards falling out of his way as he walked. He rapped on the door sharply several times, then waited, a bit impatiently.
The door was opened by the mistress of the house herself. Olivia’s lips parted in quite surprise as she found the king on her doorstep. “Liam! What are you doing here?”
His grin widened. “Are you going to stand there gaping at me, or are you going to invite me in?”
She swung the door open and stepped back. “By all means, Your Majesty. Get your ass in here!”
Liam stepped into the cool, muted interior of his lover’s home, familiar butterflies swooping through his stomach. He followed her through the darkened halls and up the stairs to her private chambers.
He had tried to make his marriage to Riley work, he truly had. But he had never been able to get the first woman he had ever loved out of his mind.
He would have chosen her on coronation night, but Olivia Nevrakis had declined to throw her hat in the ring for queen.
She had no desire for marriage or children. She hadn’t wanted the crown, the Rys money, or the responsibilities that came with it.
Liam was a man that came with an incredible amount of baggage, rules, and regulations. Rules that dictated what she must do with her womb, rules that dictated how she would live her life, rules that would control forever both the man and whatever woman he married. And frankly, she just wasn’t that into him.
Yet he kept turning up on her doorstep. And she kept letting him in.
Mostly because she knew it twisted the knife in Riley’s heart.
She had no idea how, when, or why Liam had become so besotted with her, but she had always encouraged it. Ever since they were teenagers.
At first, she had encouraged it simply because she enjoyed the attention and the power rush it gave her. Over the years, she had entertained his affections at her whim in between, and sometimes even during, her other affairs.
She had assumed that dynamic would end with the advent of his marriage.
She had been wrong.
Oh, he had been an infrequent visitor in the first few months after the wedding and after the birth of each child. But sooner or later Liam Rys always found his way back to her doorstep.
While Liam was getting his fill of Olivia, Riley was on her way to a rendezvous with Drake.
She opened the door to his suite and found it bathed in a romantic glow, soft jazz spilled from the speakers and gleaming silver cloches adorned a beautifully set table. A crystal vase filled with red roses graced the center. “What’s all this?”
Drake was nervous but determined. “I know this is just about sex to you and I’m willing to keep giving you what you want, but only on the condition that you give me what I want in return.”
“And that is?” Riley eyed him suspiciously.
“Just….this,” he gestured around the room. “A chance for me to show you that this can be more than that. I want us to spend time together outside of the bedroom.”
Amusement danced through her eyes. “You don’t like being used for your body? I thought that was your entire dating strategy.”
“It was. But this is different.”
“Oh, yeah?” She teased, “Why’s that?”
A slight pink flush suffused his cheeks. “Because it’s you.”
Her eyes roamed around the room and then tracked across his face as she considered his request. A smile tugged the corners of her lips up and she nodded. “Alright then. I agree.”
#the royal romance#trr#the royal romance fanfic#trr au#angelasscribbles#drake walker#liam rys#riley brooks#olivia nevrakis#choices fic writers creations#cfwc fics of the week#choices#choices stories you play#trr fanfic#trr fandom
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"I can make you happy."
Sobbing because my headcanon is that Riley is much older than Maxwell, and despite their age gap he is hopelessly in love. She wants him, but she is torn between him and her feelings for the prince.
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It's that time...
For tag list cleaning as time springs forward today!
First off, I would like to share my appreciation with all of you for indulging me as a writer this past year! ❤️🩷Your feedback and support means the world to me.
...and thank you for wanting to join me, in a new year of stories, edits and commissions!
If you'd like to be added to my new updated tag list, please re-blog or leave a comment on this post, or DM to me by March 24, 2024.
If not, that's OK too, no hard feelings⚘️
Here is my current list:
Perma tags for all:
TRR Liam & Riley: Smoke & Mirrors Series:
@ao719 @txemrn @queenmiarys @sfb123 @twinkleallnight @alj4890 @differenttyphoonwerewolf @harleybeaumont @busywoman @karahalloway @kingliam2019 @imjusthereforliam @lovingchoices14 @kyra75 @tinkie1973 @emkay512 @malblk21 @kristinamae093 @charlotteg234
@jared2612 @irisk12 @thesvnsins @walkerdrakewalker
TRR Liam & Sophie: Marabelle Series:
@charlotteg234
TRR Liam & Riley: Turning the Page Series:
@emersyn-in-cordonia @mainstreetreader @belencha77 @walkerdrakewalker @iluaaa @mysticalfangirl @queenwalton @bascmve01 @umccall71 @choicesfrog @amandablink @ownworldresident
I will start the new, updated list on March 25, 2024
#tag list update#tag list spring 2024#the royal romance#tessa liam writes#liam rys#prince liam#riley brooks#sophie taylor#king liam
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Déjà Vu
Chapter 4
New? Check out the first THREE chapters HERE! (Go ahead; we'll be here. 😉)
Series Summary: After an unforgettable night with a stranger, Princess Eleanor finds herself caught in a secret love triangle between a noble and a commoner.
Chapter Summary: Drake heads to Club Core with Leo; he unexpectedly meets a young woman that reminds him of a past life.
Pairing(s): mention of Liam x Riley; Drake x Riley (former)
Word Count: ~4970
Warning: 🔞 Mature Audiences Only 🔞 language (tons; it's Drake); sexual references (crude); mention of excessive drinking; drug-use reference; brief violence
A/N: Welcome to my Crack Fic! If you are new, hi! Thank you for joining us! This story takes place approximately 2 decades after TRR/TRH. I have made some canonical changes (they will be mentioned). Although this is from my crazy mind, it takes a village! Huge thanks to my sweet writing buddies for helping me figure out various parts! Love y'all! Characters and some plots belong to our friends at Pixelberry! This was not Beta'd; please excuse my errors.
~🖤~
Drake
What the fuck was I thinking? I hate large crowds and eardrum-piercing music. I hate being around people who can't hold their liquor, not to mention I hate dancing. But even worse, I hate Leonardo Anselm Phineas Rys. Old thorn in my side. What in the actual fuck made me agree to hang out with blondie in the first place? At a club? On opening night?
Because you're lonely, and he offered free booze…
My twisted expression relaxes as I shrug my shoulders. Meh. I guess it could be worse.
"Okay, baby… I'll be home later… yes… I'll tell Liam you said, 'hello'..." Leo gives an obnoxious kissing sound before disconnecting his call with the touch of a button. He lets out a sigh, taking a hit of his vape pen. "Dahlia," he answers to the question I never asked. He glances at me, sucking in his bottom lip before giving me a slow flutter of a wink. "She's a bit clingy."
I nod, drumming my fingers against the leather interior, playing it cool like I care. "Is… she your–?"
"Friend."
Ah. Okay. 'Friend.' The term just glides off of his tongue. Nonchalant. Sweet and syrupy, almost as if he believes the bullshit he's feeding this poor girl that's waiting at home for him.
And she thinks what now? That he's coming over after an evening with his brother's family which, no doubt, she has never met. And judging by that brief interaction with goldie locks here, she doesn’t seem to have the intellectual capacity to wonder why she wasn't invited to the dinner in the first place.
Side-piece. Booty-call. Friend. It's all just semantics to douchebags like Leo Rys.
I fidget with the navy collar to the button-down shirt Leo loaned me. I could barely fit my broad shoulders into the lean cut of his tailored threads. The guy has a rock hard physique, but tough, manual labor creates a different kind of body. A strong one. Like mine.
The buttons pull slightly across my chest as I flash a glance in the car visor mirror. I look like a fucking tool. I'm not used to my stubble brushing up against starched cotton; I'm usually wearing a tee, my work denim and my steel-toes. I mean, unless I'm meeting with a client or going out to dinner where you have a waiter and utensils. But, other than that, I am a fish out of water: this shirt is uncomfortable. And I have a feeling this is just a prelude of what's to come.
At least Leo approved of my jeans and Tecovas. He tried throwing my trusty chambray shirt in the trash. "No one has worn this for at least twenty years… and they weren't even wearing it then."
Fuck off.
We pull up to this club, and I swear everyone in Cordonia has turned out for this spectacle. The moment Rys steps out of his 'I didn't want anything too flashy' red Ferrari, the paps were on him like white on rice. Flashes of light rain from every direction as reporters flood him with curious questions about his Gucci loafers and gray Brioni blazer.
Lucky for me, I'm a nobody, and the press quickly discovers that the moment I step out onto the red carpet. Dropping their cameras and microphones in disappointment, they instantly turn their attention elsewhere. I don't know if I should be grateful… or offended, to be honest. At least confuse me for Leo's new lover… bunch of dickwads.
I push past the commotion, combing my hair out of my eyes as I look around the red carpet. This place is pretty snazzy, but holy fuck, they didn't spare with any expenses. It’s like a fucking fortress: a tall, wrought iron fence encased with stone surrounds the perimeter. Armed security in black tie a la James Bond swarm the space.
Now, the entrance? This wasn't just any ol’ red carpet; oh, fuck no, that wouldn't do for such a prestigious guest list. Contortionists and acrobats on pedestals perform sultry poses and maneuvers, leaving the crowd bewildered and amazed.
Scantily clad women tend to the average Joe commoners waiting in line. They serve hors d'oeuvres and complimentary spirits, fooling them into thinking they're still important even though they're on the outskirts of the main event, and truth be told: they'll never get in.
Taking it all in, I suddenly feel a massive clap against my back before an arm hugs tightly around my neck.
"Ready, Walker?" Leo pops his gum in between his smarmy grin. "Let's get our dicks wet."
—
Fucking. A. I'm pretty sure I just entered the third level of hell.
"Hey-yo, Walker!"
Make that the fourth level…
I glance back at Rys who is now flocked with an entourage of, and I quote, ‘aspiring models,’ all with their fake tits falling out of their tops, their overly-injected blow-job lips, and lashes so thick, you can't tell if they're sleeping or having a stroke. He flashes those pearly whites as he dangles a small, gram-size plastic bag of white powder.
Now, I'm not against tokin' up or getting obliterated with alcohol, but cocaine isn't my style… not to mention, if we got caught–no doubt, Leo knows people that could bail us out, but if Liam and Riley were to hear about this? They'd kick me to the curb in an instant, especially with their kid around. They’d label me as a bad influence, and Liam would give me that fatherly disappointment glare.
"What do you think, Walker?" Leo nods with eager anticipation. "Wanna join… all of us?" He lets out a knowing laugh, winking at the women around him. They take his cue and begin to giggle, as if he was the funniest, most charming man they've ever met.
And my IQ just dropped two points.
"I think… I'm going to… " I notice a large bar area, quickly throwing a hitched thumb back at it. "...I'll check out the bar,"
"Suit yourself." The women practically swallow him whole with their arms. "Don't forget: give 'em my name. Drinks on me!"
The drove of venereal diseases buzzes off with their king, and a sense of relief washes over me. Would I rather be at home? Absolutely, but since I'm already here…
I make my way toward the crowded bar area, ducking between drunken cat fights and groping couples. Finding a stool, I plant my ass down, and despite how busy it is, the bartender tends to me quickly–probably because I'm a 45- year-old man alone in a club. Translation: I have money, I know what I want, and chances are, what I order doesn't require my rim being bedazzled with seasonings, flowers, or fruit.
"What can I get ya?"
Oh, shit, I haven't heard that distinct nasally Portavira accent in so long. My God…
"Um… Larceny. Neat."
"Double?"
My man… I nod as I watch him pull out the bottle and a clean tumbler.
"Do you have a tab started, sir?"
I reach for my wallet, but I abruptly stop, remembering Leo's words. 'Give 'em my name. Drinks on me!'
"I do. It's under Rys," I smirk, "and actually, do you have Macallan?"
The bartender stops, giving me a glance over when finally a Cheshire grin creeps across his face as if he just struck oil. "We sure do, Mr. Rys." He extends his hand to fist bump me before reaching to the top shelf for a new bottle of the liquid gold. Before I knew it, he's twirling the tumbler across the bar. "Enjoy, Mr. Rys."
Taking a sip, I give him a wink as a thank you as I bask in the much needed woodsy burn of clove on my tongue. Damn, that's tasty.
Feeling more relaxed, I glance out onto the dance floor as other club-goers get lost in the hypnotic buzz of the ethanol electrifying their veins. The tantric beat of the music and the flashing swirl of multicolored lights feeds the adrenaline and raging hormones as people grab and grope one another.
I am way too old for this scene.
I grab my glass to take another pull when out of the corner of my eye, I see a familiar face at the bar. Turning my head to get a better look, I suddenly swallow my whiskey down the wrong pipe, causing me to fall into a fit of coughs. Smooth, Walker, real smooth.
Blinking back the tears, I sniff into a napkin before looking back at the beautiful face. Shit. She's absolutely…wow. Gorgeous dark, silky waves, porcelain skin, that pouty mouth with those big, doe eyes… She's the spitting image of… Riley.
"Fuck," I growl at myself before rubbing the shit out of my eyes. No way, it can't be. I look up again, and instantly I can feel my jeans begin to tighten.
You're just wanting to see her. You're just wanting it to be her, especially with what happened back at the palace.
I down the rest of my drink before allowing my attention to be completely saturated by this girl.
It's not Riley. It's not…
See? Her nose appears more prominent from the side, and-and her neck. Her neck seems longer, slender. And her eyes. They're gorgeous and big… they aren't Riley's navy blues, but damn, that sparkle–
"Would you like another–?"
"Please," I grumble as I stare at this Riley look-alike. I just… can't tear my eyes away. Her presence feels so real, so intimate. Now, judging from this woman's creamy, velvet skin, she's young. Maybe early 20s. Way out of my league… but still that face. It's like looking into a past life, a life I once loved.
—
(Two decades ago…)
"Brooks," Drake whispers loudly, "come on!"
"Shhhh!" Riley presses a finger to her lips, stifling her giggles as she looks down from her palace window. "Are you trying to wake everyone up? You're going to get me into trouble."
"You are trouble, lady."
Riley looks back at the commoner, the glint of mischief in his eyes making her adrenaline pump faster through her veins. "Now are you sure about this?" She bites her lip, "you'll catch me if–"
"For the hundredth time, yes," Drake rolls his eyes, holding his arms out wide.
Since Drake's confession to Riley at Applewood, the two of them have been enjoying each other's company, especially after hours. They flirt with danger, sharing in kisses that they swear will never happen again for obvious reasons: she is there to pursue Liam and his hand in marriage; Drake is his best friend.
After watching Liam share a kiss with Riley, a dam of excruciating jealousy broke in Drake's heart. He already shared with Riley before that he was developing feelings for her, but now, it was… something else. Something more.
During dinner, the commoner passed her a note, asking her to meet him outside her window after midnight because they needed to talk.
Riley is staying in the guest quarters off the West Wing with the other suitors. She's only on the second floor, but still, a jump from that high could be dangerous. So, Drake helped the brunette construct a climbing rope with her top sheet.
"I've got ya. Just… ease yourself over."
Riley takes one step at a time, following Drake's directions; but when she gets close to the ground, she looks back at Drake, raising an eyebrow, then jumps.
"Whoa!" Drake stumbles as Riley crashes into his chest, his arms quickly cradling her close. "What the fuck are you doing?"
Riley giggles, combing her fingers through Drake's thick hair. "Sometimes a girl just wants to be caught."
Their eyes lock on one another, Drake's hand finding her cheek. He gently rubs his thumb across her soft skin, her eyes fluttering closed as she leans into his touch.
"Come with me," he whispers softly while grabbing her hand.
"Wait… I thought we were going to talk–"
"I want to show you something." Riley gives him a curious glare. "It's a surprise," he smirks, pulling her to follow him.
They walk silently, hand-in-hand across the grounds, playfully gazing back-and-forth at one another–that is, until all a sudden a bright flashlight skims over where they are walking.
"Who goes there?" A palace guard bellows.
"Brooks, take off your flip-flops," Drake commands under his breath, watching the guard in the distance.
"What? Why?"
"Just trust me," he squeezes her fingers.
Riley quickly kicks them off, holding them in her hands. "Okay… now what?"
Drake grabs her hand again, his grip tight. "Run!" Giving her a warning tug, they both take off across the wet lawn, Riley following Drake's lead.
"Where… are we… going?" She pants, laughter bubbling from her chest.
"You'll see," Drake chuckles, "but we have to lose Barney Fife first!"
Dodging the glow of the searching lights, Drake and Riley finally make it to a large wall of greenery. Finding an entry, they pass through the walkway and hide behind the vines and leaves.
Drake looks to see if they finally lost the guards, but Riley takes a moment to look around the thicket they just entered.
"Whoa," her eyes widen as she looks at the well-manicured covert. "Where… where are we?"
"It's… a maze. A hedge maze that we used to play in as kids."
"Are you serious?" She meanders down a corridor, looking around a corner. "It's so dark. Did you ever get lost?"
Drake chuckles, reaching into his pocket. "Plenty of times." He saunters closer to Riley, pulling out a flashlight and handing it to her. The air crackles around them as the charm of the blue moon ignites the twinkle in their eyes. Drake lowers his voice into a deep gravel. "Come get lost with me, Riley Brooks."
With that, he smiles and takes off jogging, Riley staying close behind. "Hey, not so fast Drake." She turns a corner and notices his denim shirt discarded on the grass. "You lost your shirt."
"Did I now?" He snickers. "Can you bring it to me?"
Riley scoffs into a giggle as she continues through the maze at the sound of his voice. "Maybe if you'd stop running away–"
"Maybe if you weren't so slow–"
"Hey!" Riley chides, "I just jumped out of a window–" she falls silent as finds Drake's belt tossed on the ground. She collects it in her hand, biting her bottom lip. "Drake?"
"You're getting warm," he teases. Riley stumbles through another corner, turning left, then right. The sounds of her toes in the grass compliment her heavy breathing as she stops again to the cooing of his voice. "Warmer, Brooks."
She continues until suddenly, she notices a warm glow just up ahead. Her steps quicken until finally she reaches a small clearing in the maze that opens to a stunning backdrop of the star-filled sky. Gas-lit sconces illuminate the garden, revealing tapestries of vines and flowers fixed to wooden lattice work amongst the bushes.
"Wow," Riley gasps, her eyes glowing with the wonder all around her. "This is beautiful." She feels Drake's warm touch on her hand, their fingers lacing together.
"Cmon," he tugs on her, "I want to show you something."
"There's more?" She giggles, following his lead. They walk a short, pebbled path until they are standing in front of a large gray-stoned well. Riley presses her fingertips to the cold marbled edges before looking down into the dark abyss. Her eyes shift to Drake, "Is this where you murder me?" He chuckles, shaking his head as she turns back to the well opening. "Hello!" She shouts, the echoes welcoming each other back and forth.
"I'll be honest, Brooks." Riley looks back at Drake. "I'm kinda shocked Liam hasn't already brought you here. It's one of his favorite places to show off in the entire estate."
"Oh," Riley's eyebrows knit together with a pained expression.
"Hey," Drake nudges her playfully. "What's with the long face?"
Riley snickers into a scoff before finally succumbing to tears. "I'm just exhausted," she pulls her hands to her face.
"Brooks," he pulls her into his comforting arms.
"This social season bullshit is just … it's really screwing with my head," she sniffles. "I've never been more insecure in all my life, and what for?" She wipes her eyes with the back of her hand, clearing her throat. "I wish I knew where I stood. I wish the competition was over. I wish–"
Drake reaches into his pocket, pulling out a couple of worn copper coins. He offers them to a confused Riley.
"Pennies?" She sniffles.
"Yeah," he chuckles, "I forgot to get rid of them when we were in New York. They're worthless here. No conversion."
Riley's lips begin to curl. "Then why keep them?"
Drake starts inspecting the coins in his hand, allowing them to softly clang together in his palm. "I read a book once–"
"--picture books don't count as reading."
"Ha. Ha." He smirks, feigning annoyance as he starts to jingle the coins in his hand. "I read that in ancient civilizations, finding random metals was a sign or a blessing from the gods."
"You see them everywhere back home. The streets, sidewalks," she snickers, "a whole cent. How generous of the gods."
"What? A penny isn't enough for you?" Drake playfully growls, slowly leaning closer to Riley. She coyly bats her lashes, a soft titter in her throat. "Here." He puts a coin in her hand.
"What's this for?" Riley studies the trinket.
"For something bigger, citizens would offer the metal back to the gods, like a payment. So they would say a silent prayer, then toss it–"
"--into a well," Riley softly finishes.
Drake nods over his shoulder to the stoned well. "Let's make your wishes count."
One by one, Drake and Riley silently take pennies, casting them into the well with unspoken hopes and dreams until every last coin was gone. Feeling his close proximity, Riley stares up into his dark eyes, getting lost into a charming stillness.
"What did you wish for?" She whispers.
Drake slowly shakes his head. "Nothing."
"Nothing?"
He offers a crooked grin. Combing his fingers into Riley's dark, espresso waves, his hand gently grips the back of her neck, pulling her closer. "All my wishes have already come true, Brooks." He closes the space between them, their lips grazing one another. The feather-light touch instantly ignites a hunger, one they both feel and crave. Drake pulls back, chuckling under his breath as he fidgets with the hem of Riley's shirt. "So... why didn't you take off any clothes?"
Riley bites her bottom lip. "Maybe... because... I wanted my wish to come true." She pauses, her fingers tucking into the front pocket of Drake's jeans, pulling his hips flush against hers.
He swallows thickly. "Which is?"
"Take them off for me, Walker."
—
(Present)
Damnit. I adjust myself in my jeans, but my cock always hardens at the memory of Riley and me that night. We fucked. A lot. But that night, our first night together, it was more than just sex. We made love.
I take a swig of my new drink that the bartender must've dropped off while I was taking a stroll down the boulevard of broken dreams when my eyes dart to my Riley look-alike.
And I feel my dick shrink.
She's with someone, some blond tool, probably named Chad, with a tool haircut that shops at Tools-R-Us with a matching trust fund.
I sigh to myself, polishing the rest of my drink before staring at my empty glass.
He is pretty hot; I don't blame her.
I glance at them one more time, kissing my own dirty fantasy away when I notice something odd. His hand is sternly gripped around her wrist, staring at her like she's his next meal.
But her face tells a different story. She seems to be struggling, trying to tear her arm away from him. Those big, doe eyes are panicked, large as table saucers as she frantically looks for help.
I sigh. Goddamnit...
I wipe a napkin across my mouth as I stand, my glare fixed on this commotion transpiring before me. I shrug my shoulders, loosening the tight fabric off my back as I stretch my muscles. Just in case.
I hurry my way through the dense crowd of patrons gathered around the bar. I flex my fingers, bending my wrist as I get closer.
Ah, shit. This is the part I'm bad at. What do I say first? 'Stop that!' No, that's lame. I need something clever, like maybe, 'Is there a problem here?' How about–
My clenched fist meets his jaw, knocking the asshole in one swing into a bartop table before he crashes down onto the floor. He's so disoriented; he's trying to get up, but he keeps slipping on shards of glass, falling back into the pathetic rumple he calls his life.
Fuck. My hand. I know it will hurt like a bitch in a few minutes when my body depletes of adrenaline, but for right now, I'm basking in the moment.
A smirk grows on my mouth, but it doesn't last for long. The young woman. I turn to the Riley look-alike, her terrified stare already fixed on me. Instinctively, I carefully put my hand on her shoulder. She's shaking.
"Excuse me, miss. Are you alright?"
Ho.ly. Fuuuuuuck.
Brooks? Seeing her up close is almost painful; I can feel my balls beginning to ache. This woman is hauntingly stunning: the subtle freckles on her nose, the curve of the bow to her top lip, even the flounce of her long, flirty eyelashes. She's beautiful; she's… like somebody I used to know…
The young woman shyly nods, but she's trembling. She's clearly not alright.
And I suddenly possess this overwhelming need to take her in my arms, hold her tight and let her know she's safe.
Calm down, Walker.
"Let's get you away from this." I look up, noticing an open lounge-type area near the dance floor with large, plush couches. Offering my arm, she holds on tightly as we escape through the debris of the nightmare that just happened. Placing a reassuring hand on her back, I encourage her to sit.
I, on the other hand, keep an eye on douche canoe who is being helped up by security and his friends. But, I don't think he'll be a problem for us anymore tonight. He never got a good look at me, and even if he had, something tells me his ego would keep him away from telling the truth of who made him taste his own blood.
Turning towards the young woman, I notice she is anxiously looking around, her body on edge. I tilt myself to her ear, shouting over the blaring music, "Are you here with anyone?"
She nods, "B-but it's okay," she yells back, waving her hands. "I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
She fakes a smile, and my God, it knocks me back. Stunning.
Focus on her words, Walker...
"I don't exactly want to…"
I don't quite understand the rest of her statement, her words lost in the heavy beat of the music. I give her an inquisitive look, causing her to careen towards my ear, her hand brushing across my shoulder.
And my cock twitches. Breathe, buddy…
"I said… I don't want to interrupt their fun." She motions aimlessly to the dance floor. Got it.
"Can I call someone for you? Family perhaps?"
Her eyes widen. "What? No, no."
She grins, but it's clearly hiding her true feelings. Which is fine. I'm a complete stranger. Shit, she probably thinks I'm some creepy old man, hitting on her at the bar. And sure, maybe on a night where she wasn't assaulted, maybe I would've bought her a drink, asked for her number.
But the fact of the matter is this: I really don't feel comfortable leaving this girl alone. She just got into a physical altercation with… whoever that guy was. Her boyfriend? Oh shit, husband? I look at her hand; I don't see a ring, but that doesn't mean anything. You never know these days. Still, she doesn't need to be by herself right now. She really doesn't need to be here, but again, who am I but another creep at the bar.
I run my fingers through my hair. Oh, what the hell. "Do you mind if I sit with you?"
A hint of fear crosses her expression as she looks me over.
I hold up my hands in defense before leaning over her shoulder. "I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone in a place like this," I shout, "especially with what happened with your boyfriend."
She takes a deep breath. She flashes those big, brown eyes at me before finally nodding in agreement.
And my heart melts.
I offer my hand. "Drake."
The corners of her lips curl as she takes my hand, leaning towards my ear. "Jake?" She yells.
I shake my head, facing her ear more directly. "Drake!" I holler over the deep thrumming of the bass.
She raises an eyebrow. "Jake?"
Eh, close enough. I smile in agreement.
"I'm Nora," she smiles, already more relaxed.
"Nora?" I repeat, ensuring I heard her correctly. At least one of us should be called by our real names this evening.
She nods innocently, a beautiful rosy pink painting her cheeks. "Oh, and, um… he's not my boyfriend." A piece of her hair falls like liquid silk into her eyes as she looks down at her lap. She quickly shoos the wisp away, chasing it behind her ear before looking back at me, trying to figure out my angle. Am I here to hurt her? Flirt with her? Invite her home for a messy, drunken fuck?
Don't worry, sweetie, you're safe with me.
"American?"
She catches me off guard with that one. "Uh, yeah. How did you–?"
She points to her mouth, her lips perfectly rounded and plump, painted a deep crimson. Oh, duh. My watered-down accent. Toto, we're not in Texas anymore. It's hard to believe that at one point in my life, I actually sounded like these people. Every once in a while, the Cordonian beast pounces, but these days, I sound like the typical American mutt.
"Are you on vacation?" Nora asks.
I smirk, shaking my head. "I… moved here for work."
"To Cordonia?" She snickers. "Of all places?"
"Fair," I chuckle under my breath as I feel the heat rise up my neck. "I… grew up here, so I have… connections, friends and family. It makes for an easy transition. How about you?"
Her eyes brighten, like a pageant contestant being asked about world peace. "Cordonian. Born and raised."
"That's unfortunate," I joke. Sorta.
"Hey," she giggles, scrunching up her nose playfully. She swats the back of her hand against my shoulder. The touch sends a shockwave of familiarity, robbing me of my breath. "I love Cordonia–"
"Spoken like a true Cordonian."
"And… what's wrong with that?"
Drake guffaws. "What isn't wrong with that?"
"Your tone is suggesting that there's something wrong with having pride in your country–"
"It's egotistical–"
"The only thing egotistical is thinking that your opinion about Cordonia is the only opinion to be had." She furrows her brows. "If you hate it so much, why did you come back?"
Shit. She's feisty. And this conversation has gone completely off the rails. I can't tell if she's really pissed… or if I'm just really turned on and wanting a sparring match.
Fuck. You just had to be a jackass…
"Okay, truth?" I offer, even though I'm sure she wants to toss a drink in my face at this point.
She turns to face me, tucking her leg underneath her. "Please."
"I had a rough time fitting in here. Except for my best friend. He's–" I grin thinking about Liam and I, growing up together, how perfect and inseparable we were. "--as Cordonian as you can get. Well, except… I mean, his mom… nevermind," I shake my head. "He's the nicest person I've ever met in my life. I needed some help after a bad business deal, and… he was there and… now I'm here."
"Huh." She sits back, crossing her arms as she takes me in. She raises an eyebrow, the corner of her lips curling. She's clearly unsure of me, and I don't blame her.
"Drinks?" A cocktail waitress dressed in a skimpy, leather skirt interrupts us.
Rubbing the back of my neck nervously, I turn to Nora. I have a feeling that this might be the end of the night for us, especially if I don't offer her a cocktail.
I stare at the sparkling flecks of bronze in her eyes. There's something about this girl, more than just the memories she stirs up in me. I can't explain it… shit, then again, maybe I'm fooling myself, wanting something to be there that never was. Still… I clear my throat… you never know unless you try.
"Would… you like one? A drink?"
She narrows her eyes in thought… and fucking hell, she's so goddamn beautiful. Like Riley incarnate. The mannerisms, some of her expressions. Watching her literally robs me of speech and air, and I am dying to spend more time with her. Hell, who knows where the night will take us.
I really hope she agrees to this drink. I can tell I haven't exactly won her over in the past twenty minutes, but if she would just agree to one more drink, just a few more minutes with me, maybe history could repeat itself. Maybe I could experience the woman of my dreams in a different way. Now, I could never tell Nora this; she could never find out. I mean, I am attracted to her, it's just…
"Sure," Nora interrupts my thoughts, her lips curling. "I'll take a drink."
~🖤~
Thank you so much for your support! Every like, comment and reblog means the world to me! 🖤
~🖤~
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#the royal romance#the royal heir#choices the royal romance#choices the royal heir#choices trr#choices trh#princess eleanor#drake walker#riley brooks#liam rys#crack fic
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Okay. Soooooooooooooooooooooooo, I've been working on this for a while, and I'm finally going to start posting it. I've never posted anything, anywhere, ever, at all, at any point in time in my life, so to say this is nerve wrecking would be an understatement. And it's not even the actual chapter yet. 🤣🤣🤣
ANYWHO, I'm going to post the title and summary of this fic. I don't have a tag list or anything like that, but I can make one if enough people show interest 🙃 (and I can navigate my way through that lolololol.)
And can I give the biggest shout out to @ao719, who has literally talked me through this entire process and continuously reassured me that this is a good idea 🤣🥲😍😘
TITLE- Ghosted (If this has been taken, please let me know. I couldn't find anything with that same title.)
Fandom- TRR, but this is an AU
Pairing's for this series- Liam X MC (Riley Brooks)
Prince Liam fell for Riley Brooks hard and fast. A marriage filled with love and devotion was within his reach.
But everything changed when she vanished into thin air just before the end of the social season.
As everyone around him begins to voice their concerns regarding her scandalous departure, a confession from an unlikely source turns Liam's world upside down and makes him begin to question everything around him.
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Cordonian Royal Airlines
…where we treat every passenger like royalty. The ultimate in air travel. Luxurious private jets for booking to exclusive locales. Small, private, elite.
Welcome to Cordonian Royal Airlines (CRA), a TRR AU in the spirit of Wings and LA to Vegas.
Leo and Liam Rys, two brothers, both pilots, decide to go into business together, operating a small, private, elite airline that flies exclusive clientele to exotic locales in the lap of luxury. A non-chronological series of loosely related one-shots and drabbles around the exploits of the crew of CRA.
This collaborative project is a joint effort of six creators: angelasscribbles, karahalloway, harleybeaumont, aussiegurl1234, nestledonthaveone and alj4890. Updates might not be frequent or often, but we hope they’re hilarious.
Pilots/Owners: Leo Rys, Liam Rys
First Officers: Drake Walker, Bertrand Beaumont
Flight Attendants: Riley Brooks, Maxwell Beaumont, Hana Lee, Kiara Theron
Office Manager: Madeleine Amaranth
World Renown In-Flight Chef: Olivia Nevrakis
Receptionist/Booking: Penelope Ebrim
Security: Bastien Lykel
Masterlist
Turbulence: Riley confronts Drake with unexpected results.
All I Want for Christmas Part 1: The crew is grounded by a blizzard.
All I Want for Christmas Part 2: Drake does something unexpected.
Ball Drop: Drake and Riley end up in the same place on NYE.
Staking a Claim: Riley's ex shows up on a flight. Drake is less than pleased about it.
#trr au#trr fanfic#the royal romance#trr#trr fandom#cordonianroyalairlines#leo rys#riley brooks#liam rys#drake walker#maxwell beaumont#bertrand beaumont#olivia nevrakis#hana lee
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